GSP Post 12 helps Santa deliver patrol car full of toys

Dec. 24—THOMASVILLE- Toys for Tots is known nationally as one of the top philanthropies, providing unwrapped, new toys to economically disadvantaged children across the United States. However, it couldn't be done without the help of local leaders, such as Georgia State Patrol.

Local GSP Post 12 collected toys for all of the communities they serve, including Colquitt, Grady, Mitchell and Thomas County.

This year, GSP raised $3,684.35, collecting nearly 900 toys.

One of the counties in desperate need of toys was Mitchell County, who could not have been more appreciative for the donation.

"We had collected toys at Walmart one Saturday and wanted to give them back locally to Mitchell County, so we contacted the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office and they had a lady there who was in dire need of toys for some families and the fact we were able to make contact with her worked out perfectly," SFC John Vanlandingham said. "She was almost in tears."

TFC 2 Eddie Gay, who heads up the Toys for Tots at Post 12, said he spoke with Debra Hall in Mitchell County, who claimed she had been praying for a blessing, because she knew she would not be able to provide for everyone that requested their assistance.

Gay said he loaded up his Tahoe and had toys filled to the brim to bring her.

However, Mitchell County wasn't the only one in for a surprise this year.

Gay said he received a call from Cleaver Brooks in Thomasville saying they had collected toys for the drive and wanted to donate them. Gay explained to the company that all the toys collected in Thomasville are given to the Department of Family and Children's Services.

The company agreed to meet Gay on delivery day to drop off their goodies.

When they did, Gay was shocked.

"They showed up with a 14-foot trailer, containing 10 bicycles, scooters and six or seven boxes of toys," Gay said. "It was better than anything we ever could've expected."

Gay said he was originally worried about the collection, due to the rising cost of toys and the fact they didn't get their collection boxes until later this year.

"We were really crunched for time," he said. "The citizens really stepped up when we needed them, though."

Gay concluded by thanking everyone who donated, saying he knows the kids will greatly appreciate the gifts given to them.