VCAD toy drive now under way

It's time once again for the Vernon County Ambulance District to begin its annual toy drive and already employees of the district have been busy working to raise money for the annual effort.

"We've done a variety of things over the years to raise money, like selling cutouts, but this year we're going to try something a little different," James McKenzie, VCAD director said. "Leland Splitter approached me and said., 'Hey, what can we do to start raising money.' You know, in the past we've done things like cut figurines out and different things to sell things to try to raise money to do our part to raise some money for it, so we decided to sell some firewood.

"He's got some wood so we're in the wood splitting and selling business this year. We've cut about 10 ranks so far and it's better than just sitting there begging for money. We're out there working to help these kids. Cutting and splitting wood is not an easy task by any means but we're happy to do it for the kids."

McKenzie said they expect to serve at least as many children as in they have in years past --approximately 400.

"We've already started doing some of the shopping," McKenzie said.

The volunteers try to have some money left over at the end of each drive to jump-start the next year's efforts.

"We always try to have some seed money left over each year," McKenzie said. "And there's a gentleman from New York who donates $1,000 each year to help out, and he's done that each year since 9-11."

The district will soon put out the collection barrels to accept toys and they are also looking for coats for children.

"We'll probably get them out within a week or two," McKenzie said. "We didn't want to start this up in October -- we thought it would be too soon --but we'll have the barrels out so people can start filling them up. Also, we would accept new coats or good, clean used coats. We'd be happy to take those. We found last year, in December, we started getting calls from Bryan school with kids needing coats for the cold weather, so we'd be happy to take those to distribute. We'd be glad to take new socks, underwear -- things on that line we'd take, too. "

McKenzie said he appreciates the help the community gives and noted some individuals specifically who have really helped give children a good Christmas.

"Jack Bastow has made 20 of the cutest cribs. This year he's got them stained and shellacked," McKenzie said. "They're made out of walnut and oak. There's a lady that makes quilts for them. It's a lot of fun and a lot of people put in a lot of effort into it."

In order to receive goods from the effort, families with children need to contact the Community Outreach office, which is coordinating the effort.

"We encourage everyone to get in touch with Community Outreach, that the contact for it," McKenzie said. "They get the information and pass it on to us and we go from there and give it out at the Armory."

McKenzie said he didn't think the economic downturn would affect the toy drive too much, Vernon County has always been a very giving place.

"We look at the holidays it makes people feel good," McKenzie said. "That's what it's about. Times may be tough and getting tougher but you won't be able to tell it around here I'm sure."