CRESTVIEW — Elder Gary Johnson and his wife, Doris Hill, want to distribute toys to 150 girls and 150 boys this Christmas.
But the Brotherhood of Love, their organization, will need Crestview area elves' help to reach their goal.
The group needs food for its 1-4 p.m. community Christmas dinner, and it seeks new or gently used toys — "whatever God puts on their heart to give" — for 1- to 11-year-olds, Johnson said. Such donations would ensure children from lower-income households can experience some of the season's joy, Johnson said. "To most of those kids … they don't know what it is to get a gift, or a Christmas tree, or toys."
Johnson said he also would like children to experience Santa Claus. "What I really, really was hoping … is if somebody could donate us a Santa Claus suit," he said. "If they do, I'm gonna dress up and play Santa Claus."
Personally, Johnson also could use some help with transportation so he and his wife can meet donors for deliveries who don't drop off contributions at his house. "We're praying that someone will reach out and help us in getting transportation," he said, adding his car recently became inoperable and, adding to problems, he was hospitalized earlier this week.
Despite these setbacks, his dedication to the effort hasn't wavered, and he keeps the faith.
This is the BOL's second annual Christmas dinner and toy giveaway, following the second annual Thanksgiving Day feast, also supported by the city of Crestview and the Crestview News Bulletin. The group served meals to more than 500 people during the Nov. 25 event, which Johnson and his wife organized, with Johnson, a retired master chef, preparing the food. But the events are entirely supported by monetary and food donations.
"We would like to extend a thank you and appreciation for everyone who donated to our Thanksgiving feast," Hill said.
"I am very grateful and very thankful to all the local businesses and churches, and especially people in the community, that reached out to us and made this possible … without them none of this could take place," Johnson said.
The couple hope the same outpouring of community support will fuel enough donations for a memorable Christmas feast, toy giveaway, and a 5:30-7:30 p.m. gospel talent show for 6- to 15-year-olds, with cash prizes and trophies.
Because the event is about so much more than toys and fun, Johnson said.
"I feel if we come together as a community and give each other a helping hand, the world would rid (itself) of a lot of crime and drugs and misunderstanding and confusion," he said.
"If love conquers all things, then there's no weapon on this earth greater than love."
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HOW TO HELP
The Brotherhood of Love needs these items for its Christmas dinner, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 25 at Carver-Hill School Center, 398 School Ave., Crestview:
●Smoked meat
●Beef and pork roast
●10-pound leg quarters
●White and sweet potatoes
●Frozen butterbeans and frozen peas
●Collard greens
●Pickles
●Rice
●All seasonings, including Jamaican jerk spice
●Sodas and juices
●Desserts
●Paper plates, napkins and plastic cups, knives and forks
Drop off donations at 398 N. Spring St., Crestview, or call Elder Gary Johnson, BOL founder, at 229-379-1741
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Food, toys needed for Crestview Christmas feast