The 2023 Simpson County Toys for Tots Campaign ended with Distribution Day last Thursday.
Latasha Millis coordinated the distribution with help from many citizens in the area. Millis said, “We want to thank our area coordinator, Deonka Maizie, for all of her hard work and dedication towards our Toys for Tots Campaign.”
This marked the fifth year that the City of Mendenhall has held a campaign to support families in need in Simpson County. The campaign started in October and lasted until November 30.
Simpson County’s citizens did what Millis called “a great job donating toys to be distributed.” Millis said that 674 children received gifts this year, and the campaign was able to serve over 400 families. Numbers were up compared to last year as the Toys for Tots event continues to grow each year.
Millis said, “Without the dedication of our citizens and friends in the surrounding area it wouldn’t be possible to give back to these families on this level. We are so thankful for everyone’s hard work.”
Millis extended a special thanks to Mendenhall’s Mayor Todd Booth, Alderman Arthur Walker, Alderwoman Vickie Everett, Jilda Smith, Veronica Forrester, Kenneth Red Lewis, Brenda Booth, Marilyn Williams, and Terri Lynn Rankin.
She also gave a special thanks to Cricket Wireless, Liberty Tax, Magee Police Department, Walmart, Magee High School, Mendenhall City Hall, Mendenhall Police Department, McGuffee Drugs, Dollar General, Mendenhall Elementary, Simpson Central School Beta Club, Mendenhall Chamber of Commerce, Allison Shivers/Shivers Electric, and Amarilys Carter for collecting toys from the community and making donations.
Millis explained that the distribution was done as a drive through service this year with prebagged age-appropriate toys for the children. She said next year the plan is to decorate the Mendenhall Armory like Santa’s workshop and have the children walk through and pick out their own gifts.
Millis said, “It was a great campaign, and we look for it to continue to grow and be successful.”
The mission of the program is to collect new, unwrapped toys. Collection usually begins during October and lasts through December. These toys are then distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in communities who conduct a campaign.
The objective of Toys for Tots in addition to helping the less fortunate experience the joy of Christmas, is to play an active role in the development of the nation’s most valuable resources, its children, and to unite all members of local communities in a common cause. The community is vital for a successful campaign and Simpson County will look for continued success next holiday season.
