Sumner Newscow report — The first annual Wellington Area Toy Drive on its first year helped make Christmas possible for 19 families in our community, 68 children and teens.

A total of 61 stocking stuffer bags were filled with goodies like dolls, stuffed animals, socks, candy, tooth brushes, you name it!

Also, 167 wrapped gifts were given out to these children.

This also included 19 Gideon Life Books which were given out to the families along with ministry and service times for local churches. All families were encouraged to find a church home if they did not already have one.

“Our mission and desire was to give back to the local community and ultimately spread the love of Christ during the Holiday season through giving,” said Amanda Feiock, one of the organizers of the toy drive. “Our hope is to lead families to a local church and have a relationship with Christ.

Those things donated included:

•20 pairs of gloves to the Wellington Elementary schools. These were passed out by the school counselors to children who needed them this winter;

•15 pairs of gloves to Starfish Street Ministry;

•40 extra gifts were donated to the Heaven’s Hands Christmas kids Ministry.

Any remaining monetary donations will go toward paying for sack lunches to be passed out to the homeless in Wichita on Christmas Day through Starfish Street Ministry. 

“What a successful year we had,” Feiock said. “I look forward to what the Lord has in store for the future.”

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