By Terri Ferguson Smith / tsmith@themeridianstar.com
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN —
The spirit of giving is alive and well in Meridian and supporters of the Wesley House Community Center are hoping that spirit will continue to extend to those in need here.
The WTOK/Peavey Annual Toython is being held today, 3-10 p.m. at the Walmart at 515 Bonita Drive and on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The annual toy drive gives shoppers an opportunity to help fill up an 18-wheeler with new toys. The truck will be parked at the super center, according to Ginger Grissom, executive director of Wesley House Community Center, Inc.
"We'll have staff there, board members, and friends of Wesley House there. The main thing is for everybody to please do something," Grissom said. "Even if you contribute a dollar. That's a dollar and it all adds up. It's really cool to bring your family and do this as a family."
The need this year is greater than ever, Grissom said.
"This year we're seeing more and more families that are coming to us that are working. They are working and taking care of their family expenses at home, but the things that they lack are food because they fall through the cracks with food stamps," Grissom said. "They don't have anything left for toys. They are trying to be accountable to their homes."
Toys for all ages are needed, but the need is especially great for older ages, she said.
"They like things like bikes and any kind of ball," Grissom said.
About 38,000 cans of food were donated through school children this year for Wesley House food programs, she said.
"We've already had to spend thousands of dollars on meats. We can't afford to spend any more," Grissom said. "If anyone wants to donate food items, we need anything that has to do with meat, whether it's canned meat or frozen chickens or turkeys."
Tuna fish is a good donation as well, and Grissom encourages donors to buy the cans with the pop tops so homeless people will have a way of opening the cans. Monetary donations are welcome also.
"Do we have enough? We have a bunch but we don't have enough," Grissom said.
For more information on how to help, call 601-485-4736.
Toy List Suggestions...
Older Children
Bikes
Skate Boards
Balls (any kind of ball)
Nerf Balls
Shaving Sets
Cologne
Cute purses/wallets
...
Scarves (the kind that are worn with an outfit)
Hair adornments
Jewelry
Watches
Make up Kits
Ear Buds
CD's and players
Gift Certificates to: Movie Theater, The Palms, Skate Odyssey, Bowling, Restaurants, etc.
Middle Aged Children:
Balls
Nerf Balls
Bikes, Helmets
Skate Boards
Transformers
Trucks
Model Cars, etc.
Hair Adornments
Jewelry Sets
Painting Sets
Baking Sets
Watches
Ear Buds
CD's and players
Gift Certificates to: Movie Theater, The Palms, Skate Odyssey, Bowling, Restaurants, etc.
Small Children:
Dolls
Stuffed Animals
Plastic Food
Play Kitchen Appliances
Barbie Doll Appliances
Tea Sets
Balls
Trucks and Cars
Rubber soldiers, cowboys, horses and other animals
Toys dealing with Art, Painting
Trikes
Things to Ride or rock on!
Babies/Infants:
Soft Animals without pieces that come off, (eyes, noses, etc.)
Teething rings
Age Appropriate rattles, noise makers
Baby blankets, pillows
Filler's and Family Oriented Toys:
Games
Coloring Books and Crayons
Puzzles
Children's Books
