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The eighth annual Toy Trooper campaign Dec. 12-14 will offer a plethora of ways to help children of Saline County, while offering fun, food and plenty entertainment said event organizers. 
“This toy drive will help out so many kids in our area,” organizer James Ballew said. “The toys we hand out touches so many lives ...it can make a huge difference for a child for at least one day.”
From 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, volunteers will accept donations at two locations in Bryant — the Walmart Supercenter parking lot at 400 Bryant Avenue and at First Security Bank, Interstate 30 Alcoa Exchange in Bryant. Both locations will offer free Starbucks coffee, food, drinks, games for children, prizes and live entertainment. The food includes hamburgers, hotdogs, catfish, chili and more.
Items to be auctioned off include a Nintendo Wii, autographed baseballs from Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee of Benton, a golf package that includes an autographed hat from professional golfer Ken Duke, a pitching wedge and a golf outing for four at Hurricane Golf and Country Club.
“For entertainment, how about an inflatable, huge-screen movie screen,” Ballew said. “We will show Christmas movies on it throughout the weekend.”
Also, at different times throughout the three days, Alice 107.7 and KABF 88.3 will broadcast live from the Walmart Supercenter, and The Point 94.1 will broadcast from the First Security Bank location.
Bryant Police Depart-ment, Bryant Fire Depart-ment and members of the Bryant City Council will volunteer time at both locations.
“This toy drive is made possibly by our city leaders,” Ballew said, specifically naming the Bryant Parks and Recreation, Mayor Larry Mitchell, council members, Bryant police and fire departments, Glenn National Carriers, Arkansas Tent Rental, Alice 107.7, Pure Sound Recording Studio, KABF, Volvo Rents and Arkansas Digital. “If they didn’t do their part, we probably wouldn’t have Toy Troopers this year.”
Ballew said all of this is for one purpose — to campaign for toy donations to help ensure that children of low-income families have Christmas gifts.
“I remember when I was a little boy, there wasn’t a bigger day than Christmas,” he said. “It (Toy Troopers) is a top priority to me. A few gifts under the tree for a child that otherwise might not have any ...it will mean a lot to them.”
Ballew asks that people donate new, unopened gifts or monetary donations at either location during the three days and that they consider gifts for children of all ages. He said all the money donated will also be used to purchase gifts.
“All the money raised, 100 percent, goes to toys,” he said. “We will separate the gifts and see if there are any gaps. We’ll take all the money and go on a huge toy shopping spree to fill in the gaps. We also ask that anyone thinking of donating to think about the older kids, too.”
Ballew said there is another, new option in making donations.
“We have placed Toy Trooper tags on Christmas trees at various restaurants in the area,” he said. “The tag will have say the age of a boy or a girl. A person can grab the tag, purchase a gift and place the tag with the gift. Then they can place the gift under the tree or bring it to our toy drive locations.”
Area restaurants that are currently participating in the project are Cracker Barrel of Bryant, Luigi’s Pizza and Pasta in Bryant, Larry’s Pizza in Bryant and Applebee’s in Benton. Ballew said that other businesses desiring to participate may contact him for more information at 529-1700. For families wanting to find out about how to get on the distribution list, contact Churches Joint Council on Human Needs at 103 E. Elm St. in Benton.
Last year Ballew said gifts were given to nearly 1,200 children, but that more were needed.
“It was really heartbreaking when we ran out of toys,” he said. “We definitely hope that doesn’t happen this year.”
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