For four decades now the Emporia community has continuously come together each year to support the annual Neighborhood Toy Drive and this year was no exception.
The 40th annual event was held along Delane, Darlene, Diane, Hillcrest and Arrowhead streets with toys and bikes being dropped off at 1830 Hillcrest to support the Salvation Army of Emporia and SOS. The Toy Drive, long known as the Delane Drive Toy Drop, began as a friendly decorating competition between friends Kent Schnakenberg and Steve Anderson.
Schnakenberg, who was in attendance for Saturday’s drive, says seeing how the event has grown over the years says a lot about the neighborhood and its residents both past and present.
Current lead organizer Marlo Walburn says leading the event now is a full-circle moment for her and her family.
Along with neighborhood residents Santa Claus made a stop in the community to assist with gathering donations and to hand out candy canes to local youth. As always, the streets were adorned with holiday lights, inflatables and luminaries.
This year’s drive saw a total of 32 bags of toys collected, 8 bikes and scooters donated and over $500 in monetary donations.
