Santa's elves collecting treasures for annual Christmas Toy Box giveaway set for Dec. 8

McCOOK, Neb. — Toys, books, balls and games donated to the McCook-area "Christmas Toy Box" can be dropped off at inside and outside locations in McCook now until Saturday, Dec. 7.

Santa's elves schedule the gift giveaway on Sunday, Dec. 8, starting with a count-down to precisely 1 p.m., in the McCook Memorial Auditorium at the corner of West Fifth and C streets. The giveaway is for anyone who has a desire to make a child's Christmas brighter.

Specially-labeled receptacles are located now at McCook Christian Church at 507 West B; Orscheln's Farm & Home, on North Highway 83; at Dollar General, in the West View Plaza at the junction of Highways 6&34 and 83; and at Walmart, at 1900 West B. Inside drop-offs are located at MNB McCook at 220 Norris, LifeTime Eyecare at 218 West D, Eakes Office Solutions at 120 Norris, First Central Bank at 904 N. Highway 83 and Farrell's Pharmacy at 120 West B.

Elves ask that puzzles and puzzle pieces and games and playsets with small pieces be packaged well to avoid being separated, and that no batteries be placed in toys or in the receptacles; batteries will freeze and break toys and games.

Monetary donations are always welcome and are used to buy batteries and, in the case of the Toy Box Bike Shop, repair parts for bikes and trikes. Monetary donations can be taken to or mailed to the McCook office of Community Action of Mid-Nebraska, 108 West C, McCook, NE 69001.

On the day of the gift giveaway, Dec. 8, the east doors of the auditorium will open at 1 p.m. A handicap accessible door is located on the southeast corner of the building.

No unaccompanied children under 18 are allowed, and strollers and baby carriers cannot be used as shopping carts. Shoppers cannot bring backpacks, bags and boxes. There will be a restriction of one bike per family.

There are residence requirements at the giveaway. Ostrum explains, "Our Toy Box is supported by the generous people of our area, and it's our responsibility in turn to use their resources wisely to help children who live within this same area."

A photo identification and proof of current address (such as a utility bill) will be required for all shoppers, who must be at least 18 years old. Shoppers must be residents of these counties:

In Nebraska: Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock, Frontier, Red Willow or Furnas counties.

In Kansas: Decatur, Rawlins, Cheyenne or Norton counties.