That’s the estimation of Rhonda Mayer, the vice president of Hobgood Revitalization Committee, which is dispensing the new toys collected through the toy drive. “I’m excited,” she said.
Sheriff Wes Tripp said today close to 1,000 toys were collected during the drive, the second year of the annual effort. “This year is better than last year. It’s shows how thoughtful and generous the citizens of Halifax County are. The community comes out in full force, neighbors helping neighbors.”
The toy drive is part of the sheriff’s overall Benefiting the Children of Halifax County program.
“It’s very humbling,” Tripp said of the number of toys collected, the effort of the people in Hobgood and the effort of other agencies in Halifax and Northampton counties. “I realize this can’t be done by individuals. So many leaders have stepped up and are doing something.”
He noted the efforts of Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty and the department’s Christmas for Kids program; Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith’s Shop with a Cop program as well as Scotland Neck police Chief John Tippett’s program.
He also noted the efforts of Roanoke Rapids businessman Tracy Story. “It’s very humbling. Really, we can’t do it by ourselves. I’m grateful to our citizens who donate so unselfishly.”
The deputy toy drive is also a way for the sheriff to give back to the community. “Halifax County has been good to me in my service over the last 32 years.”
In 2017, Tripp plans to take the toy drive to Enfield and is already engaged in talks with the American Legion post there about the program. “I’m very humbled to be able to do this. It all goes with the mission of benefiting the children of Halifax County.”

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New Day Fitness served as a drop-off point for the toy drive as did Roanoke Valley Auto Works. Between the two businesses more than 500 toys were collected for the effort.
It’s also an example of community policing, Tripp said. “It’s putting a more friendly face on law enforcement, being more community oriented.”
At the drop-off point in Hobgood, Mayer said the names of children came from different sources such as churches and social workers. “One family relocated from Princeville to Hobgood.”
The toy drive fits in with the goal of the committee, Mayer said, making the Hobgood community a better place to live. “It’s a community working well together. We reach out to others.”
One of the benefactors was just over the county line in Martin. “We had a father who sold the kids’ Christmas for drug money. I was heartbroken,” Mayer said.
For Frank Avent, a longtime resident of the community, the toy drive is also a good fit for the committee’s work. “I think it’s great. The sheriff has been a big asset to us, helping us make Hobgood a better place to live and raise a family.”