By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Nearly $4,000 was collected this week during a special benefit for Santa’s Toy Shoppe in Yukon.
Dozens of homemade desserts – everything from cakes and cookies to pies and frozen custard – were sold to the highest bidders during a Dec. 9th auction to support the eastern Canadian County Christmas toy giveaway.
Business and community leaders donated mouth-watering desserts that were featured during a live auction conducted by Canadian County auctioneer Tom Manske followed by a silent auction.
A few of the featured sweet treats fetched hundreds of dollars from generous business and civic leaders. Two desserts made by Yukon Chamber CEO Pam Shelton brought in $600 each.
The fund-raising event was the highlight of December’s monthly Yukon Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon inside the event center at 10 W Main.
Santa’s Toy Shoppe President Jim Poe and several of his volunteer board members attended the luncheon, during which attendees were invited to help at this Saturday’s toy distribution effort at a Yukon shopping center.
“Thank you to all of you who baked or bought– or are going to buy – a dessert today,” Poe told the lunch crowd as bidding got underway.
Poe thanked all his “elves” who will help with Saturday’s huge toy distribution.
Yukon realtor Genie Vinson challenged each member of the large festive audience to either bring a new toy and monetary gift for Santa’s Toy Shoppe to Friday morning’s weekly Yukon Community Coffee at the Christmas shopping site.
SHOPPING SATURDAY
Santa’s Toy Shoppe annually serves eastern Canadian County families in need by providing new toys and other gifts at Christmastime.
This charity effort, which started more than 20 years ago, will help about 400 families who will “shop” for Christmas during this Saturday’s distribution day.
Since its inception in the late 1990s, Santa’s Toy Shoppe has served about 18,000 children from infant through age 15. Recipients must apply for the yuletide help.
Toys have been collected in recent weeks at drop sites across eastern Canadian County – notably fire departments, retail businesses, banks, medical offices, health facilities, and churches.
Organizers were still collecting toys late this week.
“For the first time, we’re asking for toys we always get – Barbies and baby dolls,” Poe explained. “For some reason, this year we haven’t received that many.”
Santa’s Toy Shoppe is an all-volunteer effort that relies on tax-deductible donations from the public.
The public has been encouraged to provide new, unwrapped toys – along with stocking stuffers and gift cards.
Santa’s Toy Shoppe, Inc. was created for Christmas 2001, in partnership with the Canadian County Salvation Army.
To support Santa’s Toy Shoppe, visit www.ecctoyshoppe.com or call Poe at (405) 740-7882.
