Maggie’s Outreach Community Center is planning a drive-thru toy giveaway, and needs donations to make the event a success.
The center will hold the “Andy’s Toy Box Drive-Thru Giveaway Event” Saturday, December 19 from noon-3 p.m. in the Hoke County Courthouse parking lot on Main Street in Raeford. Interested families must fill out a form if they wish to get a toy for their child or children. The referral form needs information including the child’s name, age, gender and grade level in school. To get a referral form, call Maggie’s Outreach Center at (910) 875-6623.
The center’s goal is to provide as many less fortunate families with toys and gifts as possible. Due to COVID-19, many more families this year are in need of support, according to program organizers. The center plans to take donations up until December 16.
Donations can be money that the center will use to shop for toys for the giveaway; or donors can provide a new toy themselves. Toys can be unwrapped or wrapped, but if wrapped, donors should write a note for the giveaway organizers to know the appropriate age range for the toy.
Maggie’s Outreach is partnering with other community organizations to help make the event possible. Santa and Santa’s elves will be on site at the drive-thru event to distribute the toys to people who have signed up for their child to receive one.
Donors can support the Andy’s Toy Box giveaway by donating at the center, located at 115-117 West Elwood Avenue in Raeford, or at the rear entrance of 109 North Main Street. Donations and referral forms should be in by 5 p.m. December 16.
Accepting Christmas donations
The Hoke Collaborative is holding its second Christmas drive. The Hoke Republican Party, the Rockfish Community Chamber, along with businesses and individuals are collecting toys, toiletries, hats, gloves, socks, and gift cards for food. The HCCC is adopting a family from each of the eight elementary schools in Hoke. Drop Off points are Brock Realty, Re-Imagined Rockfish, Fit4Life Raeford, Home Food Market, Raeford Hardware, Betty Boop’s Snack Bar Rockfish Flea Market, Quick Pack & Ship, Carolinas Dentist, Something’s Brewing Coffee Shop and PK’s Grill Raeford Airport. Donations will be accepted until December 11. For more Info call 727-798-7873 or 910-496-5787. (Contributed photo)
Coats and socks needed
The Hoke County Open Door Soup Kitchen is holding a drive to collect socks and coats of all sizes to give away to those in need in the Hoke community.
To drop off a donation, go to the soup kitchen at 320 Turnpike Road in Raeford. For more information, contact Rev. Al Anderson at (404) 971-7408, Janice at (910) 703-4064 or Susan at (910) 813-4992.
Police Department Christmas Cheer
The Raeford Police Department is seeking donations to help give local families in need a happy Christmas.
“The City of Raeford strives to serve our community not only in a law enforcement capacity, but also in charitable ways. For the past eight years, the City of Raeford Police Department has given back to the community by implementing the Christmas Cheer Program,” the office said about the program. “The Christmas Cheer Program gives the City of Raeford the opportunity to provide for families who are having a hard time over the holidays. Families receive gifts for their children, and an opportunity for participating families and donors to connect with the community by giving to the needy.”
Donations go to help with the expense of the Cheer Program. Donations to the Cheer Program will go toward purchasing toys, clothes, and school supplies for needy families. “We are asking for the community’s help in making this year our best year yet,” the department said in an announcement.
Donations of money or new toys and gifts can be made at the Raeford Police Department or by mail at 315 N. Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376. Call the Raeford Police Department for more details at (910) 875-4251. All donations are tax deductible.
Maranatha Church giveaway
Maranatha True Holiness Church located at 979 Aberdeen Road in Raeford will hold its monthly Give Back program Saturday, December 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The church will give away clothing for men, women, children and infants, shoes, school supplies, household items, bedding and more. The church will offer a free bag of groceries and a free hot meal on site. For more information, visit www.maranatharaeford.com.
Nam Knights Thomas Patrick Riley Toy Run
On Saturday, October 24, the Old North Chapter of the Nam Knights motorcycle club held the second annual Thomas Patrick (T.P.) Riley Toy Run to benefit the Hoke County Partnership for Children and Families. Riders donated new toys, clothes, and funds to help bring joy to foster children in Hoke County.
“We are so grateful to the Nam Knights for sponsoring this event,” Partnership Executive Director Jean Squier said. “Community support is crucial to our continuing success in Hoke County. These donations will help make the holidays brighter for children in foster care in Hoke County.”
The mission of the Nam Knights is to honor the memory of American Veterans and Police Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, to assist Veterans and Police Officers in their time of need, and to promote community awareness through sponsorship and participation in various fundraising events
The Hoke County Partnership for Children and Families brings together families, childcare professionals, and community leaders to enhance opportunities that inspire young minds. It is a private, non-profit agency located at 1089 East Central Avenue.
If you’d like to make the holidays a little easier for foster children in need, please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy and new wrapping materials to the Partnership office. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. through 5 P.M. All donations are tax-deductible.
For the palate by the pallet
Manna Church in Fayetteville and service members unloaded the first of what they plan to be monthly truckloads of food at the Open Door Soup Kitchen last week. Al Anderson says the kitchen is giving out lots of food, serving more than 500 last Tuesday, and another distribution planned next week.
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