By Michael Woodward, Reporter, Anderson Valley Post
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
With 725 children on their list this year, Toys from the Heart is striving to make Christmas merry for more children this year than ever before. That task has been particularly challenging this year as the list of hopeful children has grown as toy donations have declined.
"There are less toys, less money, but more people in need," Toys from the Heart coordinator Lynn Gillis said. "It's really an issue, but we're doing the best we can."
Soccer balls, Elmo dolls and skateboards were among the gifts getting wrapped by volunteers for the gift giveaway on Dec. 17-18.
"We couldn't do it without support from everybody. We have boxes everywhere," Gillis said of the donation receptacles around town.
Many businesses and service organizations have also contributed.
Anderson business Pre-Employ.com held several toy drives this year, netting 614 toys over 1,500 lbs of food before their last drive at Wal-Mart in Anderson this past weekend.
"Pre-Employ has literally saved us," Gillis said, adding that the business also sent people to help wrap gifts with little notice.
Recipients of the gifts are among families that qualified for assistance from Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance. The families are all from the surrounding South County area including Anderson, Cottonwood, Happy Valley, Igo, Shingletown and sections of Bowman Road and Highway 273 north.
Program's genesis
The now high-profile South County toy drive began with one person who wanted to help others. Rebecca Howsmon started Toys from the Heart in 2003, the same year she bought Miner's Cafe and renamed it Becca's Cafe.
"It's a need that I have to touch someone's life in a personal way. I want to see who I'm helping," she said.
While waitressing at Miner's Cafe, she received a $500 gift from a customer just before Christmas. With the money, the then-single mother of three was able to pay her PG&E bill and buy Christmas gifts for her children. The following February, her benefactor refused Howsmon's offer to pay him back.
After Howsmon recuperated financially, she noticed boxes around town asking people to donate to families in the Redding area. Howsmon wanted to create a South County Christmas toy drive so she contacted the ACCA.
Howsmon received help from businesses and service clubs, and especially from the Anderson Chamber of Commerce and Lynn Gillis.
"Everyone helped and jumped onboard," she said. "It was a real big accomplishment for me, taking the idea and making it a reality. It grew into a huge thing.
Based on personal differences, Howsmon eventually parted ways with Toys from the Heart and started up another toy drive. A corner of her restaurant is piled with toys.
"Customers come in and drop off toys every day," she said. "It's such an awesome thing to get kids what they want on the list."
