DRIVE-THRU CHRISTMAS
Gateway Community Association hands out hundreds of toys
Over 400 toys were handed out to children Monday during the third annual Gateway Community Association’s toy giveaway, which was held as a drive-thru event this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
“It went very well, it was so much fun,” Jean Lacefield, president of the association, said, noting around 85 cars came through during the event.
The association members dressed up as elves, and Hot Springs Police Chief Chris Chapmond, Cpl. Patrick Langley and Officer 1st Class Omar Cervantes helped give out milk and cookies to the visitors, Lacefield said.
“We started with our 300 toys and then we had more come in (donated by people to the HSPD),” she said. “We gave out more than 400 toys.”
While they estimated 85 cars that came through, they had a lot of people in those cars, Lacefield said.
“Most cars, it wasn’t just a mother and a child. It was grandparents and uncles.”
She described the event as “a family excursion, a family
adventure,” and noted the children were excited when they pulled up and part of the fun for the organizers was “seeing (the children’s) eyes light up.”
“A lot of time, parents rolled down windows and we’d ask them if they are ready for Christmas, if they’ve been good,” Lacefield said.
Chapmond would ask the kids if they would save any milk and cookies for Santa, “and he got some no’s,” she said, noting it was “wonderful to see that excitement.”
Lacefield said such events are important for the community, especially during a pandemic.
“It fosters hope” and the interactions that happen allow people to see “other people caring about each other,” Lacefield said, noting it shows “that we are all in this together.”
The event was held in the parking lot of 501 Prime, 215 E. Grand Ave., and Lacefield said she couldn’t thank the owner, Matt Fuller, and staff enough for their help.
She said the chef at The Hotel Hot Springs & Spa “baked over 300 cookies for us” and Hiland Dairy donated the milk. She also praised event coordinator Robin Wise, and DJ Diablo Coleman. “It was a community effort,” she said.
In the past, the event was a fundraiser meal. They have also brought in Santa Larry Jefferson, a celebrity Santa who is known for being the first Black Santa at the Mall of America, to the previous events. Due to the pandemic, they were unable to bring Santa Larry back for a return visit.
While this year’s event didn’t match the number of people who attended past events, Lacefield said that “compared to being in a pandemic, and it being a drive-thru, and not having a Santa — but having the spirit of Santa — it went very good.”
The association will return next year for its fourth event and they have “already reached out to Santa Larry.” she said. “Our hope is that the pandemic will be over we’ll be back to a live event.”