You can get in the Christmas Spirit and donate a gift this Saturday as the Friends of the Cumberland Mountain State Park host its annual Christmas Toy Drive.
Friends Member Laurie Snyder said there are always local families in need of toys for Christmas. Snyder said the toy drive has been successful in making sure children are not empty-handed during Christmas.
“Last year, they donated to 20 families with 41 children, and also they donate to 18 needy Tennessee College of Applied Technology families,” Snyder said. “So it’s a little different in where it goes to, and we have done that for many years at the state park.”
Snyder said ideal toys to donate would be games and toy balls. Snyder asks that the toys not be wrapped. Snyder said the donated toys are sent to a local non-profit organization called the Cumberland Good Samaritans, which helps families with unmet needs.
“The ones they select are the ones that they work with during the year, so that they are familiar with them, familiar with their needs, and that they are valid,” Snyder said.
Snyder TCAT students who have families can apply to receive some toys.
“You know, they are just kids who just graduated right,” Snyder said. “And they are trying to go to school and raise their families and such, so there is definitely a need there.”
Snyder said the park will have multiple activities for people to enjoy, such as crafts and decorating cookies. Activities will run from 1pm-3pm at the park’s recreation lodge.