The gymnasium at the Sulphur Springs First United Methodist Church looked like a toy warehouse, a wonderland of gifts, games and bicycles filling the huge room.
All ages were represented in the toy haul which featured a wide variety of goodies for children. Board games, electronic and science games, along with puzzles, stuffed animals and dolls were just a few of the items collected.
The end of a successful Blue Santa collection period will conclude Saturday, Dec. 11 when toys are distributed to youngsters from 1-3 p.m. in a driveby fashion on the Post Office facing side of First United Methodist Church.
Angela Price, Blue Santa coordinator, said that toys and other items have been gathered for this day for many weeks.
“We started right after Halloween and really got going after Thanksgiving,” Price said. She added that a new Facebook page had increased information and publicity on the Blue Santa program.
Price said that the donations to the program have not just been in the form of toys from local locations. This year many citizens have opted to send in cash to help with the purchasing of the items.
“This was a big help to allow us to get the items we needed,” Price said. “Our goal was to get a least three toys each for the 800 children in 250 families we received.