Jodi Conklin is certain that this year will be her last as coordinator of the Solanco Toy Drive. "I know that I've said that before, but I'm really giving it up this year," Jodi said.
The toy drive will not end, however, as her children plan to pick up the mantle of leadership. It is only fitting that they do so, as Jodi's elder set of twins, Emily and Haley, inspired the event in the first place.
"I think it's cool that it's come full circle," Jodi remarked.
Haley and Emily, who graduated from Solanco High School in 2015, were in first grade when they decided that, rather than having a traditional birthday party with lots of gifts, they wanted to have a roller-skating party. If guests wanted to bring gifts, the items would be donated to other children who did not have an abundance of toys. "We didn't want all those presents," Haley recalled.
The idea was a hit, and guests looked forward to the parties every year. The twins continued to ask for gifts for others, and clients of the Quarryville office of Community Action Program (CAP) were the beneficiaries of the largesse at Christmastime.
When the girls turned 13, they held a sleepover instead of a skating party. Recognizing that with a smaller group of attendees, the donations would decrease, the Conklins began publicizing the event.
"We couldn't do this without the support of (the community)," Haley said.
Since the discontinuation of the Quarryville CAP office's involvement in the program, the Solanco Toy Drive has been held in conjunction with Solanco Neighborhood Ministries. Recipients are screened by the organization and given vouchers that can be redeemed for three gifts and some stocking stuffers. Last year, the drive served 186 children, and the Conklins expect to serve about that many youngsters again this year.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children from birth to age 12 will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 11, and the distribution will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Nickel Mine Floor Covering, 359 Buck Road, Quarryville.
"(Ages) 8 to 12 is always hard (to serve). We don't get enough in donations for those ages," Jodi said, noting that toys made by Nerf and Lego, as well as sports equipment, crafting supplies, jewelry, and makeup, seem to work well for that age group. Gift cards redeemable for music and electronic gaming are also desirable gifts.
Items may be dropped off at Nickel Mine, as well as at Conklin Media, 823 Lancaster Pike, Quarryville; The Daily Grind, 221 W. Fourth St., Quarryville; and Quarryville Family Restaurant, 134 E. State St., Quarryville. Additionally, those who bring items to the Solanco High School girls' basketball games on Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 10 and 12, will receive free admission to the games.
Jodi noted that while community donations are an important part of the Solanco Toy Drive, funds raised through an annual ham dinner hosted by Steve and Deb Amspacher are used to purchase about 85% of the gifts that are distributed each year.
"It's always packed," Jodi said of the meal. "They heard about (the toy drive) through an Advertiser (article), and they wanted to do something for it."
This year's dinner will be held from 5:30 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge, 248 White Rock Road, Quarryville. The menu will include ham, green beans, potatoes, and desserts. Beer, wine, and soda will be included, or guests may bring their own libations. In addition to the meal, the event will include dancing and opportunities to win prizes. A set price has been set for attendance, and all guests must bring a new, unwrapped toy. Reservations must be paid in advance. Attendance is limited to 220 people, and guests must be 21 or older. Readers may contact the Amspachers at 717-786-3464 or debsteve@epix.net to make reservations.
Financial contributions to the Solanco Toy Drive may be delivered to Solanco Neighborhood Ministries, 355 Buck Road, Quarryville. To learn more about the event, readers may call Jodi at 717-475-0403.
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