Christian Help goes online for yearly gifting program
by Olivia Murray
OMurray@DominionPost.com
Morgantown Christian Help’s annual toy drive is still happening this year, though it will function differently than in previous years in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brian Marsh, manager of Morgantown Christian Help’s free store, said free registration was conducted online with United Way. Parents entered information for their children through a website.
Toys were selected based on parents’ recommendations and preferences, then packaged in Christmas bags. Families will be allotted certain times over a two-week period during which they can pick up the toys that have been prepared for them.
“In previous years, we held it at the [Morgantown] armory,” Marsh said. “And we spent a whole week setting up, and we had a morning shift and an afternoon shift of shoppers that just came in and picked the toys up for themselves.”
This year, however, the structure of the toy drive had to be adjusted in accordance with CDC and state COVID-19 guidelines.
“Having that many people in any type of area would not be OK,” Marsh said.
Launch Pad Trampoline Park is assisting with the toy drive this year. Guests to the park are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to donate in exchange for $2 off their jump passes.
January Helbig, community outreach manager at the park, said that while Christian Help set an end date of Nov. 6 for the promotion, the park usually runs the program until later in the season.
Helbig said in previous years, the park’s charity promotions have yielded satisfying turnouts.
“I think it’s a nice thing for the community, for people to be rewarded to do something generous,” Helbig said. “I think that it’s just a good-feeling type of thing to do this season.”
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