Local organizations collect Christmas presents for children

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot of talk about the true meaning of Christmas, but it’s hard to deny that one of the best parts is seeing children open their new toys.  

“With costs going up, we always try to make sure that we make (the children’s) Christmas special,” said Kitty Thomas, who spearheads the Frosty’s Friends toy drive in Soap Lake. 

Frosty’s Friends is in its 21st year, Thomas said, providing gifts to children who might otherwise wake up to nothing under the tree. The organization works with Soap Lake Elementary School to identify children who could use a toy or two, and Thomas’ team of volunteers buys and wraps the toys and brings them to the Soap Lake Community Center. 

“The families come in, and all the toys are in a bag,” Thomas said. “Then the kids go up, have their picture taken with Santa … Everything is wrapped and it says ‘To (the child’s name) from Santa.’ The parents take them home and put them under the tree.” 

Sometimes there will be extras donated, like stuffed animals or toy cars, and the children get a bonus toy to take home, Thomas said. This year, there was a large donation of books, so those will be added as well. 

Frosty’s Friends serves about 300 children every year, Thomas said. About 15 volunteers do the shopping, wrapping and distributing. 

“Some years we don’t have as (many toys as other years),” Thomas said. “But we’ve never turned a child away.” 

Frosty’s Friends are accepting donations through Dec. 18 at the Soap Lake Food Bank on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and during business hours at the Granco Credit Union branches in Ephrata at 217 Alder St. SW and Moses Lake at 401 E.Fifth Ave. For more information, email [email protected]. 

Additional toy drives: 

Moses Lake 

Unchained Brotherhood: 11 a.m. Dec. 6 and 13 at Planet Fitness, 711 N. Stratford Road. Coffee, food and photos with Santa available. A donation box is also available at the Wendy's in Moses Lake.

Sand Scorpions: 10 a.m. Dec. 6 at Bill’s Self-Storage, 1140 W. Broadway Ave. Toys go to local charities, as well as Shriners Children’s Hospital. Donations also accepted at https://bit.ly/ShrinerDonations. 

Fisher 501: 12 p.m. Dec. 6 at 1146 W. Broadway Ave. Toys, food or lightly-used clothing accepted. 

Moses Lake Industries: Nov. 1-Dec. 15 at Gorgeous Bae Boutique, 210 W. Third Ave.; The UPS Store, 601 S. Pioneer Way, Ste. F; The Favored Farmhouse, 415 S. Alder; and Central Machinery Sales, 1201 E. Yonezawa Blvd. New unwrapped toys accepted. No toy weapons or accessories, please. Online shopping available at https://a.co/7XyP5ov. 

Moses Lake Nazarene Church: 2-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday through Dec. 21 at 422 S. Balsam St. Gifts distributed 3-6 p.m. at U Rock Ranch, 465 Road T NE, Warden. Info: 509-765-4343 or moseslakenazarene.org. 

Moms Helping Moms: Through Dec. 19 at Columbia Basin Herald, 813 W. Third Ave.; Bella Vita Coffee Company, 1845 W. Broadway Ave.; Apex Cannabis, 955 W. Broadway Ave.; Steve Crapson Insurance Agency, 110 E. Broadway Ave.; LocalTel Communications, 223 E. Broadway Ave.; BBSI, 1550 Pilgrim St.; Nest Realty, 107 Legacy Lane; and Grant County Veteran Services, 1008 W. Ivy Ave. 

Ephrata 

Ephrata Eagles Lodge and IBEW: 12-5 p.m. at Ephrata Eagles Lodge, 1145 Basin St. SW. Info: 503-250-0454. 

Dave the Tire Guy: Through Dec. 19 at 10890 Naylor Industrial Way NW. Discounts available to donors with receipts. Info: 509-717-0084. 

Moms Helping Moms: Through Dec. 19 at Mike’s Transmission Services. 2060 Basin St. SW. 

Mattawa/Desert Aire 

Mattawa/Desert Aire Lions Club: Through Dec. 12 at Sagebrush Senior Center, 441 Desert Aire Drive; Tumbleweeds, 24 Frontier Way W.; and D.A. Bar & Grill, 504 Clubhouse Way. Info: 253-606-9506. 

Othello 

Moms Helping Moms: Through Dec. 19 at RE/MAX - The Brian Gentry Team, 315 E. Main St. 

Did we miss your toy drive? If so, please email [email protected] and we'll add it to the list online. 

    Volunteers at the Moses Lake Food Bank sort toys donated by the Unchained Brotherhood motorcycle club and other organizations.