Maggie’s Outreach Community Economic Development Center is planning a Christmas toy giveaway and needs donations and community support to make the event a success.
“Here in Hoke County, we have a problem of under privileged children that generally go without through the year and, especially during the Holiday Season. We are in desperate need for change; let’s help these children have an enjoyable Christmas,” Ophelia Ray and MOCEDC community partners wrote in a letter announcing the event.
“Some of the children in Hoke County are homeless, living in shelters, or classified as being poor in the community as well as in school. As the holidays are coming up these children are not privileged with parents who can finance Christmas gifts. Instead, parents have to use their limited funds to support basic living necessities. Opening gifts on Christmas morning is not a part of their realities; however, with your help in supporting Andy’s Box, which is filled with love and gifts, there is hope for change in the Hoke County area.”
If a person or organization would like to participate in “Andy’s Box” and sponsor a box for a family in Hoke County, please contact Maggie’s Outreach Community Economic Development Center at (910) 875-6623 extension 035, or (910) 565-2299 extension 3. Monetary donations can be made through Zelle to mbdevelcenter@gmail.com
The center will hold the event December 19 at 3 p.m. at 109 North Main Street in Raeford.
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.
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. The event is collecting toys for children of all ages. Drop off toys at 117 West Elwood Avenue in Raeford.
The holiday celebration event will include Santa, food, music and toy give-away. Santa’s Elves will be there to offer smiles as children and families receives their gifts.
The idea for the event began back in 2014, when then-high school students I’Keliha Williams and Annie Wright volunteered during the holidays.
“The organization through this effort and the ideas originated from these caring young ladies would like to continue this event,” organizers wrote in a letter.
Maggie’s Outreach Community Center, Breaking Every Chain Resource Center, Hoke County Commissioners and Full Effect Church of N.C. support this Initiative, organizers said.
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