Weaverville – From dolls and bicycles to heating supplies and fresh clothes, a North Carolina nonprofit helped bring holiday cheer to families through the Christmas Blessings and Gifts of Joy event at the Weaverville Community Center on Saturday, December 21. The Rewritten Story Foundation organized the event and secured two 26-foot-long box trailers filled with donations from residents of Halifax County where the organization is located.
The event saw tables stacked with more than $20,000 of toys for children. “Babies-of all ages, age zero through eighteen, they’re all babies-are our heart,” said April Lynch, Vice President of The Rewritten Story Foundation. Santa himself, as well as a team of volunteers were on-hand to help parents and families “shop” through the donations to find the perfect gift.
In addition to toys, The Rewritten Story Foundation brought a variety of clothing, shoes, and bedding to meet community needs as well as Bibles and children’s devotional books. More than 50 custom-made fire pits were also available, as well as fire logs and heating supplies. Appalachian Stockings of Love donated 100 pre-filled stockings for the first children through the door. Free donuts, coffee and hot cocoa completed the festive atmosphere. Lynch said that the massive turnout of local residents was gratifying proof of the event’s impact.
Lynch paid special attention to gifts for older children, using monetary donations to The Rewritten Story Foundation to hand-pick gifts for teens, who are often overlooked by holiday toy drives.
The Christmas Blessings and Gifts of Joy event is the sixth visit to the region for The Rewritten Story Foundation, including a Thankgiving trip when they brought over 1,000 pies to area.
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the organization provided 14 truckloads of donations. Lynch stressed the organization’s focus on being strategic in providing assistance to the region. “We do not blindly bring supplies in,” said Lynch. “I’m out here in the community, making sure our supplies are going where they’re needed.”
Lynch said she’s checked in with other local organizations and agencies and even scrolled community Facebook groups to get a sense of needs. “I really scout it out,” said Lynch. “Unfortunately what’s done [in emergency situations] can hurt instead of help. I try and make sure we’re bringing only what’s needed, and our supplies are never just blindly dropped off somewhere. We want to get them into the hands of people that need them.”
Following the Christmas Blessings and Gifts of Joy event, The Rewritten Story Foundation was preparing to deliver additoinal gifts to the Black Mountain Home for Kids and deliver a donated trailor to a local, displaced family. Lynch expressed her gratitude to donors in Halifax County and the volunteers who had made their response possible. “There’s nothing we won’t do for our community,” said Lynch.