From Staff Reports
The determination to provide their children with a happy Christmas is apparently stronger in some Raleigh County parents than the ire of Mother Nature.
Several hundred people battled nearly 2 feet of snow to make it to the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center Saturday to collect presents, coats and other goodies provided by Mac’s Toy Fund.
But those who couldn’t make it to Saturday’s event need not despair. Mac’s Vice President Pete Torrico said a second distribution session will be held Monday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the convention center. Those who plan to attend Monday are reminded that they must bring their tickets with them; no one without a ticket will be admitted.
Regular volunteers also are needed Monday to assist recipients. Set-up volunteers — typically recipients themselves — will not be needed Monday.
Those who did make it out Saturday were very appreciative of the efforts of the toy fund.
One mother with tears in her eyes said, “I want you to know I think this distribution and everything everyone is doing is beyond kind. My heart is so very touched.
“Last year I got tickets, but because my kids had what they needed, it wasn’t right for me to come. But this year has been very tough for me and my husband.”
A man, a first-time Mac’s recipient, also helped others out to their cars with boxes full of toys. He said that made the day extra special for him.
“I’m blessed,” he said.
Saturday marked the first time in recent memory that weather interfered with Mac’s party. Snow fell other years, but never to the depth of this weekend, a record for December, acording to the National Weather Service.
Donations to aid Mac’s are still arriving. The most recent donors are:
- Park Middle School Junior Honor Society, $375
- On behalf of Denise Goode, $38
- Ayres Construction Co., $150
- Rob and Barbara Rappold of Beckley, $50
- Anonymous, $20
- Allegheny Insurance Services Inc., $1,000
- Gene Hedrick of Mabscott, $125
- June Oberdorfer of Jacksonville, Fla., in memory of Ruth and Luther Greer, $100
- Bruce Blankenship, Danny Walker, Jr. Varney, John Ellison and Danny Jarrell, in memory of Barbara Melton, $100
- Avery and Mary Bailey of Beckley, $25
- Phyllis Radford of Beckley, in memory of mother Gladys Adkins, $50
- Clark Jr. and Vickie Higginbotham of Beckley, in memory of our beloved parents, Clark Sr. and Effie Higginbotham and Uldine Logan, $50
- First Baptist Church of Harper Heights, $200
- James and Theresa Rahall of Beckley, $25
- Doug and Wanda Ball of Daniels, in memory of J.H. and Theris Ball, O.C. Hamilton and Linda Ball Shirbish, $100
- Shirley Ferguson of Beckley, in loving memory of Daddy and Mother, Bernard and Margaret Morgan, $25
Anonymous, $50
Today’s Total: $2,483
Total to date:
$26,418.62
Donations will be accepted through the end of the year. Send them to:
Mac’s Toy Fund
PO Box 2398
Beckley, WV 25802
