Iola tots need toys for holidays

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December 11, 2014 - 12:00 AM

The Iola Police Department has some work to do in order to make Christmas a bit merrier for 50 area youngsters in need.
The department’s annual Project Care campaign has some funding, and assorted clothing donations, but no toys, organizer Mike Ford said.
Through Project Care, donors purchase essentials such as pants and shirts, “need” gifts, and finally “wants,” Ford explained.
He estimated donors spend about $50 for each child.
“We’ve not received a single toy yet this year,” Ford said, and time is running short. Gifts will be distributed Dec. 19.
Help is on the way. Project Care is the designated local beneficiary of KOAM TV’s Toy Box Campaign, which has a drop box set up at Iola’s Community National Bank.
Ford gets the names of recipients from Iola’s Adopt-A-Child program.
“They do all of the screening to ensure families truly are in need,” Ford said, “plus, it prevents somebody from receiving gifts from two charities at once.”
Helpers have three ways to give.
They can purchase clothes or new toys at random, then deliver them to the police department or CNB during business hours; they can stop by the police department to get a specific child’s wish list; or they can simply donate money.
Some have stepped up already.
“The Iola Senior Citizens, Inc. group has been great for us each year,” Ford said, and recently donated $500.
Another mom came in with her three children, each of whom received $100 to spend on Christmas gifts this year.
“They agreed it would be best for the kids if they spent the money to help others,” Ford said.
That money was used to purchase clothes.
Without a single toy or donation, Ford estimated about $2,500 was necessary to fully fund Project Care this year.
Boys and girls from 3 months to 17 years are in need of help this season, Ford said.
“And we’re not just serving kids in Iola,” Ford said. “We’re helping kids in LaHarpe and Gas, too.”

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