Smithfield Club Distributes Toys and Books

by Karen Foster

On December 8, the Smithfield Kiwanis Club distributed toys and books to parents of 300 of Isle of Wight County's most underserved children. This project requires a huge effort on the part of the project chair, project committee and the entire club.

The action begins in mid-October when letters are mailed to parents asking for each child's wish list. From there, Kiwanis volunteers shopped at the Target at Chesapeake Square Mall on two different days to ensure that each child receives three specific gifts that are on his or her wish list. The effort culminates on toy distribution day when, in one day, all of the parents converge on the Smithfield Center to pick up the toys and books for their children. This day of toy and book distribution takes the work of, essentially, all club members to tend the event in two hour increments.

The Smithfield Kiwanis Toy Store Project is different from other holiday toy drives in two distinct ways. First, the club raises funds from many club members, local businesses, and local individuals instead of asking for toy donations. This allows the club to shop for specific toys that the child has on his or her wish list, making it more personal. Second, the club asks that the parents not bring the children to distribution day, allowing the parents to provide the goodies to the children in accordance with their holiday traditions. The children never know that the toys came from anyone but Mom, Dad or maybe even Santa!! Pictured, Toy Store chairperson Sherry Vincent and club member Debbie Szalwinski with all the toys ready to be distributed.