‘Christmas in July’ toy drive under way

By Marda Johnson/The Lebanon Reporter

July 22, 2008 01:58 am

— Many Boone County residents are sweating out summer at the Boone County Fairgrounds, at summer camps, or at parks and pools, but a few folks are already thinking about Christmas.
Organizers for the annual Community Toy Drive, have started their “Christmas in July” top drive, to make sure they have plenty of presents to go around when the holiday season arrives.
Donations of new toys or a monetary gift are being accepted. Receipts will be provided for the charitable donation. All toys and donations received will be inventoried prior to distribution.
Event Director Michelle Smith said that business or churches willing to serve as collection sites during November and December also are needed. Lebanon Wal-Mart and Lebanon Rock Church already serve as sites.
The Community Toy Drive is now in its fourth year. When it started in 2005, more than 300 children were served. Last year, gifts were provided for more than 900 children.
“With such a huge success, we are again looking forward to reaching out to the community,” Smith wrote in a press release. “We believe there will be a greater number of children in need of toys this year. One person, one family, one church or one business can not accomplish this great Community Outreach.”
The Community Toy Drive works with the schools in the community to help compile a list of children in need, and toys are provided for children from newborns to 12 years old.
For more information or to offer help, contact Smith at michellearitha@yahoo.com or ( 765) 325-4048.
Checks payable to Holiday Iutreach may be mailed to Community Toy Drive Holiday Outreach, Attn: Michelle Smith, 504 E. Elm St., Lebanon, IN 46052.