Wake Salvation Army donates toys/clothes to families despite lower donations
On Tuesday, the Salvation Army of Wake County began distributing toys and clothing to the families of close to 7,700 children. A massive line of cars snaked around the old Kmart parking lot on Fayetteville Road in Raleigh.
Staci McKimmon never expected to be in this line.
"I just want my kids to have a great Christmas, so I had to put my pride aside and realize it's about my kids," she said.
It was the first time McKimmon had registered for the Salvation Army Christmas Cheer program that gives toys and clothing to those in need.
"It's wonderful," McKimmon said. "So many people have so much, and there's so many of us that have so little."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, donations are distributed drive-thru style, with appointments over a three-day period, ending on Thursday. From 8:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m. each day, families will receive gifts.
A record 7,700 children are registered to receive toys in Wake County this year, children like 8-year-old Royston Gooden who said that this year he's hoping for "any toy."
Officials said that this year's event has come with unprecedented demand.
"We're still getting calls, and it's just more than we can handle," said Maj. Al Newsome, area commander for the Salvation Army of Wake and Lee counties.
Salvation Army officials say Red Kettle donations, which are used to help buy the toys and clothing, are down $50,000 this year.
"We can't get people out to ring the bells. We have the locations, but we can't get people out there because they're afraid," said Newsome. "I understand that because of COVID."
COVID is the reason Staci McKimmon says she ended up coming to the event. Her work hours were cut due to the pandemic.
"I want to teach my boys that when they're older, and hopefully we're back on our feet, how to give," she said.
The Salvation Army is hoping that people will reach into their pockets and donate some money to make Christmas a little brighter for families in need.
