Shopping for Santa gifts

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

Koy Dircksen of North Platte, Nebraska, peers through the window of McCook, Nebraska's Memorial Auditorium, sneaking a peak before the community's 34th annual "Toy Box Giveaway" opens its doors Sunday afternoon. After the countdown, hoards of shoppers poured through the doors and pored over the toys, bikes, trikes, games, dolls, puzzles and books available for Christmas gift-giving. Santa's "elves" and members of McCook Senior High's FFA Club mingled to assist shoppers. Head Elf Barb Ostrum said the Toy Box helped make Christmas brighter for about 600 children; 147 got new bikes and trikes. Barb said she is infinitely appreciative of all her volunteers, for the Toy Box event could not exist without them.

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette