Santa’s Closet will return this year to help Marshall County families who need extra assistance at Christmas. The community-wide toy distribution will be Wednesday, December 17, beginning at 5:20 p.m. at the former Impulse Archery location, 714A Broadway in Marysville, and will serve children from birth through age 13.
Community members can help by donating new toys, gently used toys and children’s books, as well as monetary gifts. Donations are being accepted throughout the county. In Marysville: the OneMarysville office, Landoll Company’s main office, Fringe Salon, Salon M, the Marysville Public Library, Community Physicians Clinic, Marysville Health & Fitness, Platinum Dance and Footloose Dance.
In Blue Rapids at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Yungeberg Drug. Other locations throughout Marshall County include the Bargain Vault KS and the Community HealthCare System in Frankfort; Waterville City Hall; and Axtell Grocery.
Monetary donations may be made at the OneMarysville office, 617 Broadway.
A raffle will help cover the cost of additional toys needed for the closet. Sunflower Medical Clinic, Bruna Implement and LandMark Implement have donated raffle items, and tickets will be sold at various community events leading up to December 13. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Tickets are also available at the OneMarysville office.
Local students are playing a key role in the project. Students in the Jobs for America’s Graduates program at Marysville High School will clean and repair toys so they are ready for new homes.
Pre-registration is required for families wishing to shop at Santa’s Closet. Registration dates and locations are: Saturday, December 6, from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Marysville Mercantile, 908 Elm; Tuesday, December 9, from 6 a.m. until 8 a.m. at the OneMarysville office, 617 Broadway; Wednesday, December 10, from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the OneMarysville office, 617 Broadway; Saturday, December 13, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Helvering Community Center, 111 South 8th ; and Sunday, December 14, from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the Marysville Mercantile, 908 Elm.
At registration, families will receive a ticket and time slot and will be asked to provide proof of Marshall County residency and documentation for the children they are shopping for.
For many years, Santa’s Closet was organized by Kathy Miller, known to many as the “Good Witch.” Now that she has retired, the effort is being coordinated by Marsha Schell, Sierra Landoll and Kelly Schotte, who are working to continue the tradition she established for Marshall County families.
“Santa’s Closet works because so many people, organizations and businesses across Marshall County pitch in,” said Wayne Kruse, OneMarysville’s executive director. “Every toy, every book and every dollar helps make Christmas brighter for local kids.”
For more information about registering, donating or purchasing raffle tickets, call 785-562-3101. Santa’s Closet is open to Marshall County residents only and is sponsored by OneMarysville.
