Published: November 23, 2008 10:56 am      

Toy Shop staying busy

Aims to help children enjoy Christmas

DUNCAN — As the holiday season draws nearer, it’s important to remember the needs of others.

Children are no exception.

In fact, it is the objective of the Duncan Toy Shop to provide toys and other necessary items for children. The organization has several events coming up to help collect these items.

Honor Vaughn, Toy Shop member, said the non-profit group is getting ready for some projects to raise money for the program.

With the holiday season coming, the organization is doing what it can to collect items for those in need so everyone can have a good Christmas.

The holiday spirit begins with the one-day toy blitz. In this event, people are given the opportunity to take as many gifts as they want to the Toy Shop headquarters at 111 S. Ninth.

The program, which goes from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3, just gets the ball rolling for Christmas donations. It isn’t the only time people can donate items for the holidays.

“It gives people the opportunity to drop gifts off at one time,” Vaughn said.

Registration for the holidays began earlier this month. The organization will accept applications from about 200 Duncan families, which means gifts are needed for more than 200 children.

Late registrations begin Dec. 1 at the Toy Shop.

To continue what is being accomplished through the toy blitz, the Toy Shop will have its annual Toy Run at 1 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Carmike Theater parking lot.

The annual program features motorcycle groups, including the Chapter F of the Vietnam Vets, running toys and other gifts from the theater to the Toy Shop.

The gifts will be delivered to the children on Dec. 15. The Toy Shop will need volunteers with trucks to help deliver items.

Vaughn said donations don’t have to be just toys. Other items are needed.

Some of these donation ideas include training wheels for small bicycles, gifts for teenage boys (wallets and cologne), footballs and basketballs, dolls, and gift cards for all ages.

After the holidays and throughout the year, the organization needs both monetary gifts and toys because the need doesn’t go away after Christmas.

The group will have a hypnotist show for a fundraiser. The program will be on Jan. 22.