Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Santa, breakfast, toys and food equal fabulous event

By Wendy Ledbetter

The annual Breakfast with Santa was combined this year with the Nevada County Toy Drive and a food drive led by a Nevada County Leadership group. Despite drizzling rain that appeared on an off all morning, the events have been termed huge.

Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Director Mary Godwin said the turnout for Breakfast with Santa was the largest ever. This years event included the opportunity to make gingerbread houses and - as always - to decorate gingerbread men.

Meanwhile, more than 100 packages were passed out to parents, grandparents and guardians of Nevada County children. The packages were the result of donations or time and money by dozens of area volunteers.

A new event this year was the food drive. Nevada County Leadership requires that graduates complete a community project. One of the groups this year collected food in several area locations and donated that to families who picked up toys. Rita Shaw, Clara Gulley and Jackie Daniel manned a booth adjacent to the toy distribution spot. Firestone donated hams that were handed out for as long as they lasted, adding a touch of the holidays to the drive.

It was Shaw who said that the idea came to the group because they knew that food pantries are often stretched to the limit at this time of year and that they wanted to offer something to make the season a little brighter for at least a few families. Left over food will be donated to area food banks.

As one of those who worked to coordinate the toy drive, let me say a heartfelt thank you to all those who volunteered time, money and energy. My wish is that you all felt the joy of the holiday season as you were giving. I also want to thank all those who picked up toys so thankfully. We hope your holidays are at least a bit brighter because of our efforts.