Shiny bikes, new toys and clothes were loaded in the bed of a truck and on a tailer hitched behind it, destination Weldon Elementary School where they will be distributed to needy families for Christmas.
The Hodgestown Life Through Learning Center was the recipient and the items were collected from the annual Angel Tree project at Becker Village Mall.
“In this tough economic time, and a time of other difficult news, the Roanoke Valley has reached out their arms and embraced the Angel Tree at Becker Village Mall,” mall owner Ellen Heaton said. “This is a great local Christmas story, that in this economy, people have such great hearts. Becker Village Mall is happy and proud to be a part of this endeavor, and we are thankful for the kindness and loving hearts of the Roanoke Valley; from individuals to Church groups, from local companies to local charities, Becker Village Mall and all of its angels wish the Roanoke Valley a Merry Christmas.”
The toys before loading.
The Hodgestown Helping Hands Community Toy Drive is also an annual event, said Dena Ramsey, coordinator of the learning center, a project that over the last 10 years has distributed annually 1,500 to 2,000 toys for children across Halifax County.
The drive also uses the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program which Ramsey said struggled this year. “People didn’t have it this year but we’re trying to make sure every child has a toy.”
The economy has also affected the Hodgestown toy drive, Ramsey explained. “When we first started out we were serving 2,500. We had to tighten up our eligibility requirements.”
Ramsey was appreciative of the mall’s Angel Tree project. “There are really children who without this would not receive anything. This ensures every child has something.”
Hodgestown is still accepting donations for the toy drive, Ramsey said.
Anyone who would like more information may call 252-519-0099.
Heaton was moved by the amount of items donated. “There were churches, civic groups, businesses, a mixture of everybody. That’s what Christmas is all about, giving.”
