Volunteers Christine Lingafelt (left) and Karen Winrick sort through donated clothes at the Altoona Rescue Mission Thrift Store on Wednesday morning. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

About 200 local children received Christmas toys free of charge last year thanks to the Altoona Rescue Mission Thrift Store’s fourth annual Christmas Toy Giveaway.

This year, volunteer Jenny Heidler said the mission is aiming to help 50 additional kids in need.

The event’s motto is that “every kid deserves a Christmas toy,” according to director Jim Weyandt.

“And you’d die if you’d see the smiles on those little kids’ faces,” Heidler added.

Giving back

To help local kids in need, families sign up for time slots to visit the store and pick out toys.

During the first 40 minutes of being open Wednesday morning, Heidler said she already signed 11 children up for the event.

“We don’t turn anybody away,” Weyandt said. “Whoever signs up, signs up. There’s not a stipulation.”

Heidler said it takes hours for volunteers to set up the store for the Christmas Toy Giveaway, noting that they rearrange the clothing racks to get all of the toys out on display.

Every child gets at least three toys, Weyandt added.

Along with toys, Heidler said that they contact local businesses to provide snacks and treats for the children.

The organization is currently accepting new toys manufactured for 0-12 year-olds for their toy drive. For ideas, Weyandt suggested browsing their Amazon wishlist page at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/STGP6BTRLGUT.

Even when it’s not Christmastime, volunteer Connie Rickabaugh said that “any child that comes in gets a free toy” all year round, so donations are appreciated at any time.

Creating change

For 98 years, the Altoona Rescue Mission has been helping the hurting and homeless communities by selling low-cost items that directly fund the mission’s homeless shelter.

Sales are need-based, so there is no cost to someone in need of clothing.

“If a child comes in with no coat on, we make sure they leave here with a coat or a hoodie on,” Rickabaugh said. “And we don’t charge them.”

“We had a mother walk in here with seven children and a baby with no socks and shoes, no hat on their head. But they walked out of here with a hoodie on and little socks on their feet,” she said. “I just go and take it off the racks. That’s what we’re here for.”

Preparing for the approaching winter months, Heidler said the shop has winter coats and clothing available.

According to volunteer Karen Winrick, many of their received donations this time of year consist of coats, sweaters and jeans. The remaining donations include cookware, electronics and toys.

They also have several drop boxes throughout the city that accept clothing, shoes, blanket and purse donations, which “keeps the doors open,” Weyandt said.

“Without the local community and businesses,” he said, “we wouldn’t stay open.”

With the toy drive now open, Heidler said they are looking for both monetary and toy donations for the upcoming Christmas giveaway.

It’s important for the community to donate because “every smile on a kid’s face is worth it,” she said.

Toy donations can be made to Heidler at 814-215-1847 or the Altoona Rescue Mission at 814-201-2434. Donations for the event will be accepted until Nov. 30.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.