Toys are an important part of life for all children. A toy is a tool for learning, for imagination, for developing motor skills, a way to channel energy. For a child in poverty, a toy is more than just a toy; it can be a friend, and it can bring happiness.
For several decades underprivileged children in Box Butte County have received toys through Santa’s Helpers. A Christmas tree with children’s sex and age is set up at Bomgaars. People are asked to select a tag, purchase a $15-$20 toy, wrap the toy, tape the tag securely to the package, and return it to Bomgaars before December 12. The Santa’s Helpers event will be held on Sunday, December 13, at the Eagles.
The organizers send out letters to different agencies requesting the names of children who might benefit from Santa’s Helpers. Parents then receive an invitation with a self-addressed, stamped postcard to be returned if this is something their child/children might participate in. This postcard also allows the parents to make any changes like correcting ages or adding other family members that may have been missed. All postcards must be returned by December 10.
In the past, children ages 4-11 have been invited to Santa’s Helpers to select a gift for every member of their family as well as a toy for themselves. The children were treated to a visit from Santa, homemade cookies, and Pepsi. Because of COVID-19 there will be a few changes this year.
There will not be a Christmas party with the children and Santa. Families who have returned their postcard have an assigned number and will have a package of gifts waiting for them. There will be a wrapped gift for each child and for every member of their family, and a Santa bag will be given for each child over the age of two. Gifts can be picked up at the Eagles on Sunday, December 13, from 6 to 7 p.m., but only for families who have returned their postcard. To limit possible exposure to the coronavirus, children will not be allowed inside the building.
Santa’s Helpers only accepts new toy donations, as they believe the children should get a new toy at Christmas. Steph’s Studio for many years has collected toys for Santa’s Helpers in exchange for a Halloween photo. And people are asked to bring gifts for the tree at Bomgaars.
The Mission Store grants, individual donors, and several local organizations support Santa’s Helpers financially. A large donation is given in memory of Eda and Edward Hempel every year. Monetary donations can be mailed to Alliance Jills PO Box 121 Alliance NE 69301.
Volunteers are needed to help; they will need to wear a mask and practice social distancing. The Eagles’s capacity is 400, so no more than 100 people can be inside at any given time. DeMolay members arrive at 8:00 am to set up. High school groups will have shifts throughout the day to select gifts and wrap them for family members. Anyone is welcome to help with this wonderful event, but because of the limit on the capacity of the Eagles, please call to schedule a time: phone Julie at 762-8022 or Karen at 762-8545.
Toys are an important part of a child’s development and an important part of Christmas. Santa’s Helpers helps to provide those toys for so many children in our area!