A set of four local cousins donated their year’s accumulated allowance and birthday money to help give a happy Christmas to those less fortunate.
Ava and Nolan Schanz of Festus and cousins Kahli and Kilah Brauch of Crystal City pooled their resources and (with a little help from their parents) purchased more than $700 worth of toys for the annual Jefferson County Toys and More food, clothing and toy drive.
Despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, the four youngsters and many other Jefferson County residents helped make this the drive’s biggest year ever, providing holiday happiness to more than 2,300 children at its Dec. 19 giveaway event.
“We served more kids than ever before – we had a little over 2,300, from families all over the county,” said Kathy Ogle, founder and longtime volunteer with the organization. “It was just amazing.”
The group works closely with the Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation, Toys for Tots, local food pantries and all the Jefferson County school districts to identify and pre-register families in need.
An adult representative from each family is then invited to come and “shop” at the event for toys and clothing for each of the children in their care.
“Each child got five new toys or gifts,” Ogle said.
In addition, each child received socks, underwear, an outfit of clothing, sock cap and gloves, and a bag of eight stocking stuffers,” she said.
“Each family got a family game or craft supplies, a family PPE kit, hand sanitizer, and a bag of food,” Ogle said. “It was a lot of stuff!”
This was the first year the shopping event was held at the Pevely Flea Market, with room to spread out in the 24,000-square-foot main building. Shoppers were assigned a time to come, in hopes of avoiding the long lines and congestion of years past.
“It was wonderful,” Ogle said. “It was better than we anticipated. We got a lot of positive feedback from our participants. They told us they were able to get in and out quickly, get their items and leave.”
The cousins have been participating in the event for several years. They are the grandchildren of Carol Schanz, an owner of HW Herrell Distributing Co. in Imperial and a board member with Toys and More.
“My mother-in-law is the one who got us into it. We all volunteer our time,” said Kayla Schanz, mom to Ava, 11, and Nolan Jr., 9. Dad is Nolan Schanz Sr.
His sister, Tabita Brauch, is the mom of Kahli, 13, and Kilah, 14. Their dad is Justin Brauch, who also lives in Crystal City.
“The kids have all been begging Kathy to help with the event, but they’re still too young,” Kayla Schanz said. “They did help with the sorting, but they’re anxious to be part of the actual event and volunteer their time.”
The kids typically donate about $200 worth of toys to the annual drive, purchased with money they save or receive as gifts throughout the year.
“They don’t spend all their money (on it); they do get to buy some things for themselves,” Schanz said. “They always save up money to spend on vacation, and this year we didn’t go anywhere because of coronavirus. So they ended up with about $500, and my husband and I put in another $200 or so.”
Schanz said she and her husband have tried to instill in their children the importance of giving back as a nod to their own good fortune.
“It makes me so proud,” Schanz said. “I grew up very, very poor, and there were Christmases I didn’t have anything. Now, we can afford the finer things in life, and here the kids are focusing on helping others have a good holiday.
“It makes me feel good, like I’m doing a good job of raising them.”
The youngsters weren’t the only local residents to go the extra mile for Toys and More this year.
Ogle said she and her husband, Keith, were sorting and preparing items a few weeks ago and stopped to grab a burger at Gordon’s Stoplight in Crystal City. She was wearing a “Toys and More” shirt.
“There were two gentlemen sitting on the tailgate of their truck, and one of them asked me about the program,” she said. “We talked, and he asked for my name and number so he could donate. I didn’t think anything more about it.”
Ogle said she was amazed to receive a $2,500 check in the mail shortly afterward. The donor, a Jefferson County resident, wishes to remain anonymous.
“I didn’t know him; he didn’t know me,” Ogle said. “He just felt moved enough by the story to do something. And all over a hamburger!
“It has been an amazing year.”