Today is Mac’s Toy Fund Eve. Early Saturday morning, hundreds of families will enter the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center to “shop” for their families’ Christmas presents.

What will they find? Toys for kids of all ages from birth to 12 that have been purchased with the dollars our friends have so generously given. Handmade wooden toys of the finest quality made by the inmates at FCI - Beckley. Coats, both new and used, for babies, children and adults; many were donated by our generous friends, others purchased with your dollars. Gloves, hats and mittens provided by the Family Worship Center and Faith Baptist Church. Bicycles donated by you and lovingly repaired and refurbished by local Boy Scouts. Helmets purchased with funds from a donation by the Charlie and Patricia Gail Williamson fund at the Beckley Area Foundation. Dental hygiene kits and bags of fruit.

It will be a holiday wonderland.

But even after the party is over, the bills will remain. We will still need donations through the end of the year to pay for it all.

You can send donations to Mac’s Toy Fund, PO Box 403, Beckley, WV 25802.

Following are the most recent donors to the fund:

- Charlie and Patricia Gail Williamson BAF fund, for the purchase of bicycle helmets, $1,000

- Anonymous, $50

- Helen and John Walker of Beckley, in honor of grandchildren Madison and Gabriel; “We appreciate the hard work you volunteers do year after of year.” $25

- Wickline Insurance of Beckley, $50

- Jeffrey Hall of Beckley, $25

- Hopkins family of Beckley, in memory of William (Billy) Ryan Hopkins, who was killed in a car accident Nov. 11, 2008. “We miss you so much.” $25

- Davis and Ruth Dials of Beckley, in memory of parents, Rev. R.E. and Lottie Leadingham, $200

- Bonnie and George Sweeney Jr. of Beckley, in memory of Goerge Sweeney Sr., $50

- Elizabeth Ann Smith of Beckley, $25

- Larry and Karla Robertson of Daniels, in memory of their fathers, G.C. Robertson and H.E. Neal, $25

- Meredith and Etheline Trent of Beckley, $25

- Helen M. Knapp Richardson of Beckley, in memory of family Robert L. Knapp Sr., Patricia A. Miguel, Robert L. Knapp Jr. and grandson Ryan R. Knapp, $50

- Ruby L. Brantley of Beckley, “Love and good wishes.” $25

- Maggie L. Walker Temple No. 738 of Beckley, $25

- Kim and Linda Parsons of Crab Orchard, in honor of grandson Cody Bragg, $25

- Geraldine Anderson of Rhodell, for grandchildren Keke, Jessi and Komi, $25

- Anonymous, $20

- H, Louis Kirkpatrick of Beckley, in memory of Mary H. Kirkpatrick, $100

- Joyce A. Larkin of Rhodell, $25

- Seed Faith Blessings, $25

- Bill and Lynn O’Brien of Beckley, in memory of Inez O’Brien, $50

- Johnnie and Belinda Stafford of Crab Orchard, $100



Today’s total: $1,970

Total to date: $23,935.62