Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Picayune toy drive successful once again

Words are often times a poor means of communication.

In this case, words cannot express the gratitude felt for those who have helped make the Second Annual Nevada County Picayune Toy Drive a success.

Last year the Picayune began the toy drive after learning the Department of Human Services had discontinued doing the Angel Tree. Picayune Editor John Miller said the vacuum created by the DHS's decision would meant little or no Christmas for many of Nevada County's Children.

The 2002 effort saw some 125 names submitted, with more than 100 parents coming to the Picayune office the Saturday before Christmas to pick up the gifts.

Names, Miller said, were collected from the three school districts in the county. When possible, the children's parents were called, and notes were sent home by the students reminding the parents to get the toys at the Picayune office.

"There were times I wasn't sure everything would come together," Miller said of the 2002 event, "but they did at the last minute and the children had a better Christmas than they otherwise would have."

The 2003 toy drive, Miller said, was a little easier because of the experience of the 2002 event. As of this writing, more than 170 names of needy children have been submitted to the Picayune. Letters have been written and mailed to the parents this year, reminding them to come to the Picayune office and get the toys on December 20 between the hours of noon and 3 p.m. Office Manager Lisa Martin has been busy stuffing and addressing envelopes to make sure they get in the mail and can be delivered by Saturday.

This is following the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce's annual Breakfast with Santa, held from 9-11 a.m. at the Potlatch Building in the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

More than $1,000 was raised by the Picayune staff, with all of the money spent locally to purchase gifts for the children.

However, what really made the effort amazing, Miller said, was seeing the bus drive up from the Nevada School District with 35 students. The bus was packed with toys, while Jim Cross, building and transportation director, drove a pickup with 12 boxes of food the students donated.

"The Nevada District," Miller said, "has been more than generous in both years of the toy drive. These young people understand the importance of giving and Nevada County should be proud of them."

The food the Nevada students brought will be given to the Nevada County Fair Queens for their food drive. The food baskets will be delivered on December 20 after Breakfast with Santa.

The drive began with people dropping stuffed animals off at the newspaper office. This quickly escalated, as area residents brought toys, toys and more toys, filling the front window at the Picayune office.

Some of those who donated include: the Bank of Prescott, the Nevada County Branch Bank of Delight, Sen. Percy Malone, the Nevada School District, Emmet Schools, Rep. Tommy Roebuck, Rep. Chris Thomason, the Prescott Rotary Club, the Central Baptist Church Brotherhood, Congressman Mike Ross, Twyla Arnett and Barry Barber.

"This isn't everyone," Miller said. "Many who dropped toys off didn't leave their names, and some simply left bags of toys at the office's front door. I'd hate to forget anyone, but do want every person who helped to know how much their donations are appreciated."

The next step in the process, he said, is to bag the toys. The list the schools gave the Picayune have the children's names, gender and ages and the toys will be age and gender appropriate as much as is possible.

"What makes this toy drive so special," Miller said, "is how the community came together to help those in need. Four children on the list asked for coats. We searched all over town, found three coats, but had problems finding a girl's coat size 12-14. I thought we were going to have to go out of town to buy one, but we had somebody donate a new coat in the size needed. Now, these four children will be warm and dry when they go to school this winter.

"The people of Prescott and Nevada County are special. They came through for the county's children, making this a special holiday season for everyone. My thanks and gratitude go out to each and every person who helped."