JOY AND CHEER ABOUNDS AT FAIRFIELD TOY GIVEAWAY
For several hours Saturday a parking lot in the 600 block of Jackson Street in Fairfield was the place to be, with food and fun in abundance.
Tents housing heaps of toys beckoned, and volunteers wearing neon-yellow vests escorted at least 1,000 kids waiting patiently in long lines, one-by-one, to come pick out some joy.
Nearby, an estimated 100 packages of food awaited takers.
`Twas the annual toy giveaway hosted by Lamb Of God In Christ Ministries — this year including food — and the mood, of course, was joyful.
“It does my heart good,” said Renee Trotter with LOGIC. “They were lined up from 7 a.m.”
Which was amazing, considering the event didn't start until 10.
Each year, the needs grow, she said, and each year, the church meets the needs.
This year, with the pandemic still wreaking havoc on pocketbooks, the church saw a need to also offer food baskets. They had planned on 50, and found a way to give away 100.
“The Lord makes a way,” Trotter explained.
So many are in need, she said, and it's Christmastime. She wants all to have full hearts and full bellies, she emphasized, so the church reaches deep into slim pockets, and prayer becomes reality.
“Even right now I'm contemplating going to Macy's and getting more stuff,” she said, indicating the quicklydwindling mountains of toys.
There were gifts for all ages, from Hot Wheels to ponies to motorized scooter and bikes. There were dolls of all sizes, plush animals and robotic dinosaurs.
As each child made their way to their destination, their eyes grew huge and volunteers were gifted with smiles — as should be the general expression during this most magical season.
Lizbeth Herrera and her Fairfield-based family nearly bounced with happiness as they watched little Jaylanie, 1 1/2, cuddle a robotic panda.
“It's nice; they get so happy,” she said, of her gratefulness for the drive and the children's excitement.
“Everything is so expensive. Food is so expensive,” she continued, explaining that she can spend up to $400 a week to feed her family. “So gifts for them (through LOGIC) is amazing.”
David Ha, a chaplain and volunteer, shared the sentiment.
“It was a good opportunity for us to give back to the community,” he said. “I think it's great to have local ministries give back to the community and partner with the community.”
Cheryl Comer with LOGIC agreed.
“It's a blessing,” she pointed out on a brief break. “I love it.”
Fairfield police Officer Erik Pulsipher also enjoyed helping out at the event, especially since his family was with him.
“I told my family I was coming to this and they asked if they could come, too,” he remembered.
Being a public servant with deep roots in the faith community, Pulsipher said such events just resonate with him. And the opportunity to participate with his family just adds something special.
“That different interaction with the community, promoting a different level of service,” he shared. “Being able to laugh and dance around with them. It's fun. … It's people helping people to impact the community.”
Lamb Of God In Christ Ministries hosts different community events throughout the year.