Monica Green was on the verge of tears as her 3-year-old daughter, Serene, beamed over the sight of her first bicycle.
Courtesy of the Kent Toys for Joy drive.
“I don’t know what to say,” Green said as her girl wheeled away her new bike. “I’m so excited. It is such a blessing. She will have fun riding it. … Merry Christmas to you.”
Hundreds of families lined up for hours Tuesday morning outside Kent Lutheran Church, at 336 2nd Ave. S., for a chance to collect a share of community-donated toys and other gifts.
In all, the Kent Food Bank was expected to distribute more than 4,000 toys Tuesday, according to Jeniece Choate, the food bank’s executive director. More than 50 bikes were donated and given to families by raffle.
It was the first time the spacious church served as a distribution center for the drive.
“And we want to thank Kent Lutheran Church for their generosity and for the use of their facility,” Choate said. “The drive has gone smoothly, thanks to all who made it possible.”
The food bank, Kent Regional Fire Authority, Kent Firefighters Local 1747 and the Kent Firefighters Foundation – along with many volunteers – facilitate the Toys for Joy drive each year.
The toys delivered will serve close to 2,000 children, according to the food bank. Toys were also distributed in Covington and SeaTac – all parts of the Kent RFA’s response area.
Firefighters collected new, unwrapped toys that are sorted, wrapped and delivered to local food banks and outreach programs for distribution to needy families in the community. In addition to toys, nonperishable food and monetary donations also are accepted.
Firefighters dropped off the collections at the church early Tuesday morning.
Toy collection barrels went out Nov. 23 at many fire stations and other outlets.
This year has seen an upturn in the economy, said Capt. Kyle Ohashi, Kent RFA spokesman, with many families in need.
The Toys for Joy program, which has served the community for more than 20 years, would like to thank all of the residents and businesses who participated and made the program a success.
Organizers especially would like to thank Reddaway Trucking for providing a semi-truck and trailer to store and haul the wrapped gifts, and Door to Door Storage of Kent for providing the storage pods.
PHOTO BELOW:
Families line up outside Kent Lutheran Church to receive donated gifts in the Toys for Joy drive. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter
Slideshow: REPORTER AND RFA PHOTOS
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