Santa and his elves arent the only ones working extended hours this month.
Tracy Keagle of Humanity House is putting the finishing touches on what will be the eighth and final Santas Toy Shop at 210 South St.
And then were done, Keagle said. Done, done. If anybody wants to take it over, they can.
The toy shop will open its doors from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, and again from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The toy shop is open to all families, regardless of economic status.
I had one person ask if they needed to bring a birth certificate or proof of income, Keagle said. No. Were just giving away toys, and theyre used toys at that.
Unlike years past, there will be no parade leading up to the toy shops opening, Keagle noted, in part because of the lack of time available to plan the procession.
The Herculean effort to gather, clean and prepare more than 1,000 toys each Christmas season begins around Thanksgiving each year. And with Thanksgiving falling on Nov. 28 this year, it left what amounted to one less week to prepare.
THE format will follow previous years. Youngsters will be greeted by Santa when they walk in the door. Afterward, theyll be granted access to the lavishly decorated toy shop, where each tot will get one free toy, plus some hot cocoa, cookies, candy canes and a book.
Keagle will have hats and gloves to give away, and coats if children need one.
Keagle will then invite parents from families in need of extra help for Christmas to come back on Sunday for extra gifts.
If they need a tree, they can take a tree, with the lights attached, Keagle said. I just want to be done and not have to store anything.
The toy shop is adorned with 19 trees this year, and a combined 30,000 Christmas lights.
It looks pretty cool, Keagle said.
