Toy drive meets expectations

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

HILLIS

The Warren County Rescue Squad toy drive is being called another rousing success this year as the group provided Christmas presents for 867 underprivileged children.

“It went real good,” said squad director Fred Hillis. “I’m well pleased about how smoothly it went.”

The squad delivered toys on Christmas Eve following its year-round collection process which was put into high gear after Thanksgiving. Hillis said concerns over shortages of toys for certain age groups going into crunch time this season worked themselves out thanks to the giving community.

“Everything came out just about right,” Hillis said. “The community came through again this year just like they do every year and we really appreciate that because we couldn’t do it without everybody’s help.”

The number of children served this year was down from last year’s total – which topped 1,000. The reason for the reduction, Hillis believes, is the squad’s new name gathering process which requires parents of the children to fill out a form at the squad building.

In past years, requests were taken over the phone. However, in hopes of getting a more accurate count and assuring children get their toys on Christmas Eve, the squad went to the direct application process.

While there were fewer children, Hillis said the streamlined list meant the children on the list received more toys. Although the numbers were down, Hillis pointed out the 867 children served is still higher than many years in the past given a continued slow economy.