A flooded basement last spring lay to waste all of the Christmas decorations and lights utilized by Humanity House for Santa’s Toy Shop, which distributes free toys to area youths.
With the upcoming Farm-City Days celebration at hand, and Christmas 79 short shopping days away, the organization is turning to the community for help.
A collection point will be set up next Friday and Saturday at the site of the toy shop, 7 E. Madison Ave., for “anything Christmasy that you no longer need, have too much of, or would just like to donate,” organizers said on the Humanity House Facebook page.
Last year’s toy shop was set aglow with 10,000 Christmas lights.
Those who bring in old lights are asked to confirm they work. Donated decorations should be in boxes.
While the flood also wiped out the inventory of leftover toys, organizers are not yet asking for toys to be donated. That donation drive will come a couple of weeks later.
HUMANITY House, which aids local families in dire financial straits, has a number of activities planned for Farm-City Days, starting with Thursday evening’s community dinner at Iola’s Riverside Park. A chicken noodle dinner will be served for free-will donations from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Other activities at the park Thursday include a bounce houses from 3 to 7. Homemade vanilla ice cream and apple pie will be served from 6:30 to 7.
A free showing of the animated film, “Zootopia” begins at 7.
OTTAWAY Amusement Co.’s carnival opening highlghts Friday’s activities, with the opening ceremony slated for 6 p.m.
The fun hits high gear next Saturday with the car show and heritage arts demonstrations starting bright and early. A donut eating contest is set for 9:30 a.m.
The parade winds through downtown Iola at 11 a.m.
Music fills Saturday afternoon, with Iola native Skye Strickler taking the stage at noon, followed by Shotgun and Lace at 1:30, the Chase Walker Band at 4 o’clock and Atomic Possum at 6.
FARM tours at Strickler’s Dairy on the northeast edge of Iola run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16.
The tours will include a look at new farm technology, including discussion robots, drones and driverless tractors.
A hay bale maz, bounce house and tours of the farm in the works as well. Free vanilla ice cream will dished out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
