Hundreds having happier holiday, thanks to McCook Toy Box

Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Two little faces seem terribly sad at the 2015 McCook Toy Box giveaway Saturday. But hundreds of others will be happy when they find gifts and bikes under their Christmas trees. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- "McCook Toy Box" giveaway coordinators and volunteers left the McCook City Auditorium late Sunday afternoon knowing that hundreds of kids will have a merrier Christmas because of the yearly project.

One-hundred-and-fifty children will be riding rebuilt-to-almost-new bikes, and at least 380 will unwrap new toys.

Head Elf Barb Ostrum was pleased after the giveaway. "It went well," she said, with a smile. "It went quickly, but well."

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

New this year were some limitations and restrictions -- "a sign of the times," Barb said. "We restricted the area to the area that continuously and generously supports the Toy Box." Barb was dismayed that some people didn't understand the new rules. "It's important that we serve those communities that support us," she said.

Parents were limited this year to four new toys per family, ensuring that more children of more families received new toys.

From this point on, Barb said, the Toy Box will serve the seven counties of Southwest Nebraska (Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock, Frontier, Red Willow and Furnas) and three counties of northwest Kansas (Decatur, Rawlins and Cheyenne). Limits on new toys per family will be determined by the number of new toys donated.

Parents shopping for bikes and new toys will be required to provide proof of current address.

"And to be fair to everyone, there can be no exceptions," Barb said, adding that she knows that living within the new Toy Box restrictions will become easier with time.

As always, Barb deeply appreciates the help of her volunteers, and especially those who spend what seems like half of each year rebuilding bikes and trikes. "Without my volunteers, there would be no Toy Box," Barb said, grinning.

Barb said that, besides too many individuals to name, she received volunteer help from the McCook Senior High FFA and LIFT programs, and from the welding class and rodeo team from McCook Community College. "I can count on volunteers to step up when the Toy Box needs them, and that's the amazing things about living here," Barb said.

"The Toy Box is a wonderful program," Barb said. "We have such generous communities that support us, and volunteers who give of their time and talent. I want them to know that they've ensured that many children in our area will have a brighter Christmas."

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