“A Cozy Christmas”, a toy drive to benefit the children of Sharp County has kicked off and according to event founders Chris and Kristin Proulx, the event will be designed to help support existing programs in the area.
“For years, we have supported Toys for Tots, but this year we really felt like we wanted to do something that would impact our local area in a positive way,” Chris said.
As owners of a local business, The Cozy Nook in Hardy, Chris said they have gotten a head start with the help of the community who has purchased items during online auctions held by the business and donated them toward the project.
“Among the items we sell here, toys are included and so what we started doing was putting some back here and there, but also we opened it up so that when we’re doing our online auctions, if a person wanted to donate an item to be put toward this project, they could,” Chris said.
With headlines across the nation warning the public that items may be hard to come by for the upcoming holiday season, the Chris and Kristen thought an early start would help existing entities to make the holiday a little brighter.
“Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and is not all about presents, but children shouldn’t have to miss out on that feeling we all know and remember. Waking up early and the excitement of not knowing what is in the box under the tree,” Chris said. “So, this is a way we can give back.”
While working to plan A Cozy Christmas, the Proulxes reached out to area organizations to see if there was interest and if the project would be helpful.
“We called Lauren Siebert with Comfort Keepers and reached out to Sheriff Mark Counts. Comfort Keepers offered to help with storage of items and spoke with some area groups like the Mission of Hope,” Chris said. “The Mission of Hope has a toy room for Christmas to help families, the Sharp County Shop with a Cop program usually takes place at Walmart and kids are allowed to shop, but if toys are hard to come by, we will be able to send some toys to the sheriff’s department to be given out.”
The number of toys given to each organization will be determined by the volume of toys collected and the greatest need.
“We are collecting new toys and they can be for any age,” Chris said.
For more information, contact Chris or Kristin at The Cozy Nook or call 715-577-4661. “
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
