‘Maybe you’ve brightened their world a little’: ‘Splendid’ volunteers distribute toys, gifts for 350-plus kids at 2020 Toy Drive


Above, left: The Ozark County Toy Drive, held Dec. 12, provided toys, gifts, stocking stuffers and other items for about 350 Ozark County children. The annual event is the work of many volunteers led by organizer Nancy Walker, whose granddaughter, Crystal House, second from left, sends out a “mass text message” each year, asking for toy drive volunteers. "And I'm always shocked with how many happy helpers show up," she said. From left: Cindy Thomas, House, April Luna, Gayla Murphy, Walker. This year’s toy drive was held in the basement of the First Baptist Church on Third Street in Gainesville rather than in the former Ozark County Senior Center as it has been in past years. House told the Times the venue was “super packed, but absolutely perfect!” See page B1 for more photos and details about the event.

Several Gainesville students assisted with the toy drive, including, from left, Daden House, Shayla Wages and Chase Luna.

Olivia Milligan, Layla Biby, Justus DeVries, Emily Green and Lauren Hillhouse.

For decades, the Ozark County Toy Drive has operated completely on donated funds. Throughout the year, chairperson Nancy Walker shops for toys and games, kid-favorite food items and gently used clothing to be offered to parents for children of all ages.

The toy drive always has a “draw” for big items such bicycles, tricycles and red wagons. This year, Walker said, she had enough donated funds to buy 37 of these big toys. Parents and grandparents participating in the toy drive draw numbers that determine if they get to choose one of the big items.

This year’s Ozark County Toy Drive was Saturday, and on Monday its chairperson, Nancy Walker, was feeling blessed by the annual experience she has led for decades.

“It’s a blessing to be able to feel like perhaps you’ve helped make Christmas morning happy for some children out there,” Walker told the Times. “Maybe you’ve brightened their world a little. That makes you feel good.”

The 2020 toy drive provided toys and other Christmas gifts for approximately 350 children whose parents, grandparents or guardians stood in line and patiently waited to be escorted inside, where they selected the items they (or maybe Santa) would bring to their children for Christmas. The only requirement for those participating in the toy drive is that they are asked to show proof that they are Ozark County residents.

An army of adult and teenage volunteers turned out to help. “We had some of the most splendid, outstanding volunteers to work with,” Walker said. “That’s what they are – outstanding. I can’t sing their praises enough.”

Some volunteers handed out numbers to those standing in line and welcomed them inside when their turn came. Others managed the tables where the gifts, carefully arranged by category, were waiting to be chosen. 

Gainesville teachers and coaches Lance West and Blake Hobbs brought several students and sports team members. 

“We had a whole bunch of big boys helping,” Walker said, referring to the tall teenagers who carried laundry baskets as they escorted parents and grandparents as they browsed the many tables and areas of First Baptist Church basement, where the toy drive was held this year (after being held for several years across Third Street in the old Ozark County Senior Center). 

Each participant selected items that were placed in the laundry basket the teenager carried. “It tickled me to see those young men help the parents shop,” Walker said, adding that, when asked, the boys offered their considered opinions about which toys might be the best choice for each child. 

Several teenage girls and adult volunteers stayed busy keeping tables stocked and organized and gift-wrapping items before the parents and grandparents went on their way.

Walker’s granddaughter, Crystal House, said she sends out a “mass text message every year” asking for volunteers. “And I’m always shocked with how many happy helpers show up,” she said.

Fewer than usual parents and grandparents participated in the toy drive this year. “We were down 50 to 60 kids,” Walker said. “And we had 70-some people in line when we opened. Usually we have over a hundred, usually 110 to 115. The only thing I could figure out is that it was the pandemic. I think some didn’t want to wear masks, and some were just afraid of the virus. But there’s no way of knowing each year how many we’ll have.”

But while the total number was down, Walker said, those who did participate were grateful for the help the toy drive provides. “One grandmother shopped for her 21 grandchildren,” Walker said.

She was pleased that “we had plenty of toys and plenty in the ‘draw room,’” where parents draw a number to see who gets one of the bigger toys such as bikes, tricycles or red wagons. “We had about 37 to give away this year,” Walker said. 

When contacted Monday, Walker was still working on getting some gifts together for families who weren’t able to participate Saturday morning. 

While this year’s toy distribution is over,  Walker will be soon be gearing up to hit the after-Christmas sales to begin collecting toys and other gift items for next year’s event.

The Ozark County Toy Drive operates completely on donations. To help, make checks payable to Ozark County Toy Drive and mail them c/o Walker, 378 Harlin Drive, Gainesville, MO 65655. 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423