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  • Six-year-old Ashlynn DePew works hard to win a bottle of soda at the ring toss booth at the Toys For Kids Celebration 2008 carnival, dinner and gospel sing. TESA CULLI/REGISTER-NEWS

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September 8, 2008

Toys for Kids closer to Christmas program goal

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Toys for Kids of Jefferson County is one step closer to its goal of providing a Christmas present for 1,000 children after its Celebration 2008 carnival, dinner and gospel sing that was held Saturday.

“We need to raise $30,000,” TFK vice president Angela Schrum said. “This carnival is the main fund-raiser to do that.”

Children were able to have fun with carnival-type games such as a Little Debbie Cake Walk, soda bottle ring toss, face painting, a bouncy house and other activities. A barbecue dinner was held, as well as gospel music by area vocalists and groups. A silent auction of baskets and a half hog raffle were held also.

“We still have some smaller fund-raisers planned,” Schrum said.

TFK has been in existence for about 20 years, and is a non-profit organization whose goal is to provide Christmas gifts for local children who are in need.

“We know there are other organizations throughout the region that collect Christmas gifts,” TFK treasurer Rochelle Bond said recently. “What sets us apart from them is we verify need of family and residential status so we can without a doubt confirm we are helping local children. ... We are working solo without affiliations of any other organization.”

Schrum recently expressed how important a gift is for some children.

“With the economy the way it is, everyone is cutting back,” Schrum said. “For my kids, a present or two less won’t be too noticeable, but for the child who only gets one or two, a cutback means no presents.”

Toy donations may be dropped off at Curves for Women, and donation boxes will be set up in many area businesses within the next few weeks.

Anyone who would like additional information about TFK and upcoming fund-raising events may call 246-3029 or 315-0385.

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