Contributing writer for The Canyon Weekly
Merry Thriftmas!
’Tis the season for giving and two Lyons youngsters wanted to help other girls and boys have a good holiday by donating some of their toys. Their motivation came from mom, Amanda Bodenstab, when she and her husband got caught by a year of struggles.
“It’s making Christmas this year very hard, and we know everyone is struggling,” said Bodenstab, whose daughters, Echo, 5, and Cora, 2, wanted to play “elves.”
“Even when life has been tough, our girls see the bright side of everything and always want to give and see others smile.”
Online went a bouncy red donkey, baby dolls, a play vacuum, barn, drum and piano, dollhouse and more.
People responded and the giving dominoed.
“We are giving away toys and stuffies as well,” posted Annette Decker in response to Bodenstab’s post. “Maybe there’s something they would like?”
Shanna Hall mentioned the Lyons Fire Department’s toy drive. Hall offered to help Bodenstab fill out an application.
“We take pride in helping our community and all understand times are tough,” she told her.
Bodenstab answered, “We did fill out an application, and the girls are so excited to get presents from the firefighters.”
Nate Wymer mentioned he also had a box full of stuffies and girl toys to share.
As of Tuesday, Bodenstab said the giveaway was going good with toys going to families in Gates, Lyons and Salem.
“We are being Santa’s helpers and helping kids that are going through tough times like us,” said Echo, who said she wants to be a firefighter. “We are all about helping anyone we can. To help kids makes my heart happy.”
Not only are toys on the giving list, but to a family who had none, a queen-sized bed frame, and Samuel Studnick offered free scrap pickup in the Canyon area, “everything but propane tanks.”
Stella Unger thanked students from Scio High School and their forestry teacher for delivering a load of firewood to her home. Sally Frye Buganski called them “a great, generous group.”
Rounding out the toy giving is Christmas Toys at the Canyon Crisis and Resource Center, going on now. Toys are given away from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment at CCRC, 825 NW Santiam Blvd., Mill City.
“We are happy to announce we have Christmas toys and items for kids of all ages again this year,” according to event sponsors, CCRC and the Silverton Elks Lodge. “This is open to all upper Canyon residents, from Mehama to Idanha.”
To make an appointment, call 503-897-2327.
