The Christmas spirit made its way through Bellefontaine and out onto State Route 47 Wednesday, swinging by the sheriff’s office before landing at Logan County Children’s Services (LCCS).
This time, it traveled in the form of pickup trucks filled with boxes and boxes of toys. Organized and implemented by the Bellefontaine Masonic Lodge, this particular toy drive is their first, but definitely not their last.
Stepping in as Santa’s elves for local children, the Masons placed a dozen boxes at area businesses and various locations around Bellefontaine this past September. Since then, the boxes have been filled by residents wanting to bless the kids at LCCS.
“We’ve been collecting since Sept. 14,” Zac Miller, senior warden at the lodge and organizer of this event, said. “It’s been such a huge success we are definitely doing it again next year.”
Besides enough toys to get four carloads, the Masons received approximately $500 in cash thanks to individual private donations. And, Miller confirmed, 100 percent of that money went toward buying toys, scooters and other items for the children.
But that’s not all. Other donations included 50 backpacks from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, girls undergarments from Stites, more toys from Farm & Home and Tractor Supply Company and food items from Community Markets, which the Masons dropped off at the Lutheran food pantry.
And in keeping with the spirit of giving, the Masons gave 40 to 50 porcelain dolls to Logan Acres Senior Center, which the lodge had received from Logan Auction. The dolls will be used in therapy for those with Alzheimer’s and are worth between $1,000 and $2,000.
To learn more about the work the Masons are doing in our area, you can attend their Thursday night Bingo fundraiser at the lodge or call (937) 592-5636. If you’re interested in becoming a Mason, though, the best way is to find a member and ask him about joining. Just like Santa and his elves, they have their secrets …