Operation Friendship sees overwhelming success

MOSES LAKE — It was a great year for Operation Friendship.

Operation Friendship is the toy drive, sponsored by the Moses Lake Food Bank, which provides new toys for families in need. And in terms of toy donations 2020 was a banner year.

The event also is one of the traditional charitable projects of the Unchained Brotherhood motorcycle club. Chris Brokke of the Moses Lake chapter, and secretary for the state Unchained Brotherhood clubs, said it was a great year.

“We did three times what we did last year.” Brokke said. “People were very generous. Maybe it was the COVID, everybody having a bigger heart.”

The results were visible when the toys were distributed Saturday. After an hour of distribution, the big cardboard bins were not only still full of toys, some were overflowing.

“It’s a good year,” said Dale Casebolt, a longtime volunteer, as he added toys to a bag.

“We’re actually doubling up on toys because we have so many. Thanks to the generosity of the community and the Unchained Brotherhood,” said food bank director Peny Archer.

Food bank use has gone up in 2020.

“And I see more fear in our families’ faces,” Archer said.

Some of those families have never used the food bank, she said, and are concerned about the future. But for Christmas, the kids will have toys, she said.

Volunteer Sandi Casebolt said for some children, the toys they receive through Operation Friendship will be the first new toys they’ve ever had.

People donate both money and toys.

“I was really impressed with the amount of toys we got this year,” Brokke said.

The Unchained Brotherhood uses the money donated to go shopping at the Ephrata Walmart, and the donated and purchased toys are separated into the big cardboard bins. Parents submit a list with the ages and genders of their kids, and volunteers fill a big plastic bag with toys.

Operation Friendship is an all-volunteer effort. Along with the volunteers who donated the toys and worked the distribution, members of the food bank staff volunteered to check the required paperwork for clients.

“They volunteered this day and they do it every year,” Archer said.

Any toys not distributed Saturday or were donated late will be available during business hours at the food bank until it closes for Christmas, Archer said. The food bank will be open from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Dec. 21 through 23.