10th annual Northside Toy Drive brings Christmas joy early to kids in Amarillo
Christmas came early for the families and children that showed up Saturday at the 10th annual Northside Toy Drive, held at the Palo Duro High School Gymnasium in Amarillo.
Families were lined up as far as the eye could see on the block surrounding the high school campus as they awaited their turn for them to pick out a gift in a gymnasium filled with all assortments of toys from bikes to dolls.
Once a child reaches the entry point to the floor full of toys, they go along with a volunteer to pick out a toy of their choice without parental input. Some of the children could quickly spot the toy that caught their fancy, while others took a more methodical approach as they experienced the joy of having choices.
Tyra Combs, a college student and volunteer at the event who was one of the many who were able to help children as they made their choice of a plaything, spoke about the fulfilling nature of the event and the importance of giving back.
"It is pure joy and peace knowing that we are helping a child to get a gift that they might not have been able to get at home," Combs said. “It makes me feel good when they choose a toy and leave with a smile on their face. It is every kid’s dream to have a choice of any toy they want, especially with a floor full of toys at their disposal.”
Combs encouraged others to get involved with the Northside Toy Drive, with so many things that can be done to bring joy and make a child’s Christmas better.
“It is great to volunteer in the community and see all of these people doing their part to do better for children,” Combs said.
Allison Roberts, the Northside Toy Drive vice president, spoke about what this event meant to her.
“My grandparents always taught me that we need to give back to the community,” Roberts said. “This is just one way that I think it's great to be able to bring Christmas smiles and relieve the burden of parents that may not have the means to give to their children this holiday season.”
She said that her event services all families that come and there is no registration to come and have your child choose a toy.
“Anyone is welcome," Roberts said. “We really appreciate all of the wonderful volunteers; we could not do this without our hundreds of volunteers that help make this happen.”
Founder and President of the Northside Toy Drive, Elton Bradley II, said that he feels blessed to be able to be a part of the event.
“This means everything to me; this is an opportunity to give back and to thank Amarillo,” Bradley said.
Bradley spoke about the key to getting so much buy-in from the community with volunteers.
“The key to getting volunteers is the same key to the success of the program; it is being able to ask for help," Bradley said. “We put the word out that we needed help, and the message spread. We ended up getting over 250 volunteers. The commitment of these people shows what Amarillo is all about, and that is to help one another.”
Bradley spoke about the Northside Toy Drive Black Tie Affair, which is the largest fundraiser for the organization.
"We sell tables at the event to be able to purchase all of the toys that we have here, along with all the toys that are donated,” Bradley said. “The ticket to that affair is also an unwrapped gift that adds to the collection of toys we have here."
Bradley said that this event ends when no other children are awaiting toys or the last toy leaves the floor.
He encourages anyone wishing to donate, volunteer or for companies that want to give back to the community to reach out to make every child’s Christmas better.
“The more sponsors we get, the more we can give back to the community,” Bradley said.
For more information or to find ways to support the Northside Toy Drive, go to https://www.northsidetoydrive.org/
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: 10th annual Northside Toy Drive brings Christmas joy early in Amarillo
