Greene County Toy donations. Photo courtesy of New Opportunities

Greene County New Opportunities and Adopt-a-Family brought holiday cheer to several local families.

Greene County New Opportunities Coordinator Teresa Lansman tells Raccoon Valley Radio they served 151 families for the Holiday Food Baskets and 112 with the Greene County Toys programs. She notes that over $5,000 was raised in donations for the toys program. Volunteer Sherry Graven explains her role in the toys program.

“I just volunteer and try to make the best I can out of a situation that is a need for the community. I work at the (Greene County) Engineer’s Office in the courthouse and it’s an easy drop-off spot. So I collect as many toys as I possibly can and I also take cash donations, and go out, and actually spend that money buying toys that I know the kids will actually enjoy.”   

Lansman notes families received their items in smaller shifts to help with social distancing and everyone was required to wear a mask. She adds, that families also picked up stocking stuffers, coloring books, along with socks and underwear from the RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program’s Lots of Sock Drive. Adopt-a-Family also gave out gift cards instead of food baskets to minimize contact because of the pandemic. Lansman thanks everyone who contributed this year to both programs.