~ Salem Chick-Fil-A toy drive benefits local children in need ~

Most children look forward to receiving a gift during the holidays. Some wake up on December 25 with the exact gift they wanted under the tree. Many others are not that fortunate.

For the fifth straight year, the Salem Chick-Fil-A hosted a toy drive to collect items for the Community Christmas Store. Each participant that donated a toy between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 26 received a coupon for a free chicken sandwich.

The goal was to receive 200 toys. More than 250 were ultimately donated. “Typically, the days following Thanksgiving are big shopping days. My favorite part of the toy drive is giving back. Our guests are so generous,” said Vanessa Miles whose husband Shaine owns the restaurant. “It’s a pleasure to serve them and they are so kind to serve others through the CCS Toy Drive and coat drive for Mrs. Dorsey’s Clothes Closet.”

Nine years ago, Paris Hawkins was a student at South Salem Elementary School. She remembers participating in several toy drives with her parents throughout her youth. “They raised me to be appreciative of what I have,” she said. “We didn’t have much, but we were thankful for it.”

Michelle Dykstra would very much like to see every Salem child receive a gift during the holidays. “All children, regardless of financial status, deserve something to open during the holidays,” Dykstra, Toy Chairman for the Community Christmas Store, said.  “We hope that the toys these kids receive put a smile on their faces and help the parents know that they are doing all they can to make a safe and healthy life for their children.”

The Community Christmas Store serves Salem, Craig County, Vinton and Roanoke County. According to Michelle, 1,000 children typically benefit from the store throughout the holidays.

Grant Tate saw the Chick-Fil-A toy drive sign while going for his weekly jog. “There are a lot of selfish people in the world. I try my best to be a selfless individual,” he said. “I asked what were some things they needed then went to Wal-Mart get it. I’m all about making a difference in the community.”

“I believe our community is focused on investing in children. It’s one of the reasons my family returned to Salem,” Vanessa Miles said. “Our schools and community love kids and the toy drive is just one example of that.”