Community Services gives out free toys

By Staff | Dec 24, 2015

MEL TOADVINE Lots of bears were given away at one of the tables during the toy giveaway. Shown here is Leo Poirier, a volunteer.

Many parents and children waited an hour last Thursday before the doors opened for Lehigh Community Services’ annual Christmas toy distribution for needy families in Lehigh Acres.

The toys given away to approximately 400 children were worth about $12,000, according to Rae Nicely, executive director of Lehigh Community Services.

She added it was among the highest number of children getting toys from the agency. Slightly more received toys a few years back during the economic downturn.

The giveaway took place in the Microtel Restaurant’s conference room. Once the doors were opened, eligible families that had registered came in one at a time.

“A lot of these families are unable to buy toys for their children this Christmas,” Nicely said. “We hope what the people of Lehigh have done through their contributions of money and toys will bring smiles to those 400 children who live here.”

MEL TOADVINE Lines form outside the Microtel Hotel in Lehigh Acres an hour before doors opened to give toys away to families.

Families with small children were led to tables where toys, cookies and treats were available.

Bulging trash bags filled with toys were at the last top. The bags were filled for the children according to their sex and age group.

As the line moved through, families with school-aged children got in line to get their toys, too. The giveaway lasted until about 4 p.m.

“We couldn’t have done all of this without the help of our partners, the people and business and clubs of Lehigh who made the toy distribution possible,” Nicely said.

Lehigh Community Services has been giving toys away for several years.

Several volunteers manned the different tables, and Mrs. Santa Claus was on hand to mingle with the younger children.

“I call myself Mrs. Joyful Clause,” said Virginia Chevalier of Lehigh Acres.

She has played Mrs. Claus at other events, but it was a first for Lehigh Community Services.

Among the volunteers were Leo Poirier, who handed out teddy bears and other stuffed animals. Three Mormons doing their missions locally were also on hand.

“Without all these people helping, we couldn’t get this done. I appreciate the help of those who volunteered to help,” Nicely said.

The parents and children seemed appreciate of the toys, with most thanking the volunteers.

“This is something we do every year. It has grown larger and larger over the years and the effects of the recession are still being felt. You can tell that from the large number of families who qualified to receive toys for their children,” she said.

“It’s a nice thing to see the eyes of little children light up when they come in and see many toys on the tables. It’s just a happy thing to do, again thanks to all of the people who gave to help us and to the many who volunteered to handle the 400 children and their families,”?Nicely said.

: MEL TOADVINE Lines form outside the Microtel Hotel in Lehigh Acres an hour before doors opened to give toys away to families.