Santa Claus made a trip from the north pole and the Grinch travelled all the way from Whoville to the Granda Theatre to help local agencies benefit hundreds of foster children this holiday season. Each year the annual toy drive collects donations which are then divided amongst TFI Family Services and St. Francis Community Services for foster children in their care.

Not only was the Grinch one of many in attendance to help collect donations for the drive, but he was also on the big screen in the Granada as families filled the theatre for a special screening of the holiday film featuring the big green guy himself.

Denise Schonhardt of TFI says the toy drive is such a great event for the entire community, and it helps to provide children in the foster care system with a sense of normalcy during the holiday season.

 

According to St. Francis foster care home services worker Lindsay Lyons that normalcy is crucial for many children who traditionally may not receive anything for the holidays, which can, in some cases, cause those children to view the holiday season in a negative light.

 

Benefit association President Dominick Vortherms says the toy drive is just one of many ways the association shows its love for the local community and the residents within it. He adds, everyone who works the yearly drive does so on a purely volunteer basis.

 

On top of the toy donations Sunday, monetary donations were also given through a special raffle drawing with all proceeds going to TFI and St. Francis as well.

Totals from the event will be announced at a later time.

Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News