Santa helps make Share the Hope Toy Drive a success

“It’s been a year since I last saw you,” said the jolly-bearded man in the red suit to a group of children walking toward him.

Smiles began to grow on the children as they embraced the fat man they know as Santa Claus with a hug.

“What do you want for Christmas this year?” he asked as he pointed toward the table filled with toys.

Santa, better known as Capt. Mark Boys of the Maricopa Fire Department, was the star of the show as he welcomed families to the first Share the Hope Toy Drive at Rotary Park Saturday morning.

Angela DeWitt, 3, waves with Santa Claus, a.k.a Capt. Mark Boys.

The event was sponsored by the Maricopa Fire Department, but it took a big effort from the community to make it a success, according to Capt. Scott Lavander, an event coordinator (see related story).

“We had contributions from the ethanol plant, Target, Community of Hope church and Desert Sun Performing Arts, not to mention the individuals who donated toys,” said Lavender. “It was great to see all the support.”

Events like this are nothing new to Lavender. He was a part of similar charitable events in other cities he worked in.

“When I was a firefighter in Sedona, we had designated families whose homes we would go to and put toys on the doorstep, ring the doorbell and run,” he said. “We’d turn around at the truck and wave as the families came out. It was great.”

This year, Lavender and co-coordinator MFD Chaplain Rusty Akers, also a pastor at Community of Hope church, wanted to make it big. They got with other community and business leaders to have designated toy drop-off points, making it easier for the community to make donations.

“There were about a thousand toys donated,” said Akers as he pointed into a long trailer packed with toys.

Although the event was scheduled to start at 11 a.m., children started to arrive early while firefighters were setting up the giveaway tables. There were varieties of toys ranging from dolls to footballs and board games to the most popular toy fire truck.

Akers and Lavender said they plan to make this an annual event.

“I just love to see all of these different people together,” said Akers as he looked on at the families and volunteers interacting.
As children left the event with a toy in hand and smiles on their faces, Santa chimed in with a friendly reminder: “Merry Christmas to you and don’t forget to leave cookies out for me tomorrow night.”

Volunteer Shannon Amos holds up a teddy bear for a child during the Share the Hope Toy Drive Dec. 23.

Kayci Amos stands in a trailor filled with toys during the Share the Hope Toy Drive at Rotary Park.

Jerry Amos; 2; takes a cookie break from helping his mom sort through the toys.

Capt. Scott Lavender advertises the Share the Hope Toy Drive from the roadside.

Desert Sun Performing Arts student Vanessa Ryndak, 15, helps two boys find a toy. Ryndak is one of dozens of volunteers who helped with the event.

Cathrine Amos, 3, finds a ball to give to a child during the Share the Hope Toy Drive.