The Garland Police Boxing Gym and Lakewood Brewing Company recently hosted a toy drive for children affected by the Dec. 26 tornado. The drive was a success, resulting in more than seven truckloads of toys for children who not only lost toys they already had, but also those that they had just received for Christmas.
The brewing company staff wanted to do something for the tornado victims and came up with the idea of a toy drive for the affected children. They picked an evening, offered free beer and dinner to the survivors as well as those who helped by donating toys. Rick’s BBQ food truck provided the food at no cost. They also received donations of clothing, toiletries and more.
“We didn’t turn away any donations,” Craig Bradley, representative of Lakewood Brewing, said.
Bradley added that they continued to collect toys for a couple of days and were fortunate to get a large number of items for the kids.
The community responded to the need by donating toys for kids of all ages and Walmart gave generously as well. In addition to the donation of toys, volunteers unselfishly gave of their time to sort and set up the toys and man the pick-up event.
Word was spread using social media and schools in the affected neighborhoods distributed flyers to students.
The families were invited to choose toys at the boxing gym Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23 where they were met by friendly, helpful volunteers. Board games, remote control vehicles, dolls, stuffed animals, baby items and books are just a few of the items available. New clo
thing, bedding, toiletries and more were available for the adults and kids.
Ann Noska, the academic tutor who helps the student boxers at the gym and monitors their grades, said there were so many toys that they ran out of display space.
“We couldn’t even put them all out at once,” she said. “There are still more toys that we will put out later.”
Ret. GPD Lt. Dave Swavey, who founded the gym more than 20 years ago when he was with the gang unit, now serves as the coordinator of the boxing gym. He said that he was happy to help these kids who have been through such a devastating loss.
“We want to do whatever we can do to put a smile back on these kids’ faces,” he said. “I’m glad we had this opportunity.”