CAPTION: Dolls, toys, bikes and stuffed animals were among hundreds of items distributed this week as part of the RSVP Joy Toys program. Individuals, businesses and organizations in the community donated items, money and time to the program which provides children’s Christmas gifts to families in need. Here are many of the RSVP volunteers who prepared the donated items for distribution. The program assisted 171 families with 731 children. Last year, there were 135 families participating in the program which involved gifts for 545 children.

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

When the doors opened Monday evening for the RSVP Joy Toy Project, the community room of the Senior Citizens of Livingston County building was filled with toys too numerous to be counted. When the doors closed after Thursday morning, they had all been given to 171 families with a total of 731 children, who might have otherwise had a disappointing Christmas. The number is up this year compared to last year with 135 families with a total of 545 children being assisted.

“A big ‘thank you’ goes to all those people in our community who gave of their time, money, and toys to make this year’s project such a success: numerous businesses, schools, clubs, organizations, churches, and individuals,” said RSVP director Patty Mefford.

Businesses known to have helped: Anderson TBA, Chillicothe Ford, Constitution-Tribune, KCHI Radio, KXCV Radio, Maurice’s, Superior Coating Co., Time Warner Cable and Gastineau Electric. Schools, churches, and organizations known to have helped: American Postal Workers Union, Bishop Hogan Memorial School, Chillicothe R-II Schools, Chillicothe Eagles Club, Senior Citizens of Livingston County Missouri, Tina-Avalon School, Tria Sorosis, United Methodist Pre-School and Youth Groups, and all those who gave in memory of Vada Harper.

“Volunteers of all ages have put in many hours of service to meet this critical human need in our community,” Mefford said. The group of RSVP volunteers working on the project include: Volunteers-in-Charge Arolene Crowe and Marvin Holcer, Wanda Brost, Fran Catron, Theresa Figg, Carol Foster, Richard Gibson, Marlys Hagen, Phillip Hagen, Annabelle Horton, Louise Huston, Dotty Ledin, Betty McNally, Velma Mitchell, Clara Ratliff, Ella Robinson, Lucille Seifert, Mary Shore, Miriam Stelplugh, and Frances Wilson. Mefford also expressed deep appreciation to those unnamed and unknown individuals, businesses, and groups who gave in so many ways to this year’s project.

“The RSVP Joy Toy Project is really the whole community working together in the true spirit of Christmas,” Mefford said.