By Barbara Hudson, Guest Columnist
On behalf of Cherokee County Toys for Tots, I thank everyone who gave of their time and/or financial and toy gifts to make this another successful year.
The WNC Wingmen Motorcycle Club hosted our annual Fun Run, which started off our campaign. Nature did not cooperate with our planned fundraising efforts at Walmart and Lowe’s, and we had to cancel our intersection holdup. The balance was support from local businesses, schools, churches, organizations and individuals.
Several businesses have supported our program for years such as Acorn Woodworks, Snowbird Mountains Brewery, Hoppy Trout, Wayne’s Feed Store and Charlie Spence’s Edward Jones, just to name a few.
There were two new fundraising events this year, the first at Nottely River Valley Vineyards and the second, a pancake breakfast at Buck Bald Brewing.
We were very pleased to have Jeana Conley join the team this year as schools coordinator. The students and staff went all out to raise money and donated toys. Standout schools this year were Hiwassee Dam High School, Andrews Elementary and Middle Schools and Martins Creek School. There is something special about seeing children helping other children.
It is Jeana’s intention to apply for the position of local coordinator for the 2023 campaign, and I wish her as much success as this program has enjoyed these past many years.
Although I intend to remain involved in the program, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have touched my life as local coordinator. My father and his wife, John and Susie Evans, have spent more than 15 years developing this program into a well-oiled machine. I cannot imagine a CEO or manager who ever stepped into a position so seamlessly as I did two and a half years ago. They have remained my rock throughout.
The small army of volunteers who have remained faithful for so many years are the links in a very strong chain. We have also been fortunate enough to land several new volunteers over the past few years who have stepped up to join the ranks.
Thank you to the Cherokee Scout and WKRK radio for helping us keep the community aware of our events and progress.
I close this letter with tears in my eyes. They are tears of joy as I reminisce over the events that also inevitably brought on the tears. There are so many touching moments I have been privileged to experience, and they are all because of this amazingly loving and generous community I am so fortunate to call my home.
You have made it possible, once again, for more than 1,100 local children to experience the magic of Christmas.
The writer is a resident of Murphy and local coordinator of Cherokee County Toys for Tots.