Salvation Army toy shop gives families an extra boost

A little help at Christmas can make the difference at the end of a difficult year.

“Somewhat, yeah,” Spring Dana said. “It all depends on what happens during the year.”

Dana, 25, of Cedar Rapids, and hundreds of area residents are getting that extra boost this week. The Salvation Army's annual Holiday Toy Shop, which operates through today at Hawkeye Downs, will distribute toys and the makings of holiday meals to about 1,600 families.

That's about 300 more than last year, and reduced donations forced organizers to lower each family's gift allowance.

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“We're down in donations, particularly the 9-and-up age categories,” said Lindsay Hand, the Salvation Army's director of social services.

Still, Dana was able to find plenty for her 5-year-old daughter, browsing tables where donated toys, games and books were arranged by age group. She said her mother is the only person employed in the household.

“A lot of people are working,” volunteer Lila Kramer said. “They just don't have enough money to go around.”

Kramer, 68, of Cedar Rapids, kept busy restocking one table with three volumes of the popular Harry Potter books.

“That's a hot item,” said Kramer. “They're flying off the shelves.”

Kramer said she first volunteered for the holiday program three years ago, but now she helps out year-round in the kitchen at the Salvation Army center in northwest Cedar Rapids.

“I was so impressed with the organization, I just signed up,” she said.

Kramer and the other volunteers will wrap up the distribution end of the Salvation Army's holiday programs today. But Lt. Kristina Sjogren noted that the organization's familiar red kettles will take donations through Christmas Eve.

After a slow start, the kettle drive had raised $400,000 - about 60 percent of its goal - through Wednesday, said Mindy Kayser, the Salvation Army's development director.

“It looks like we're going to be on target with kettles as long as the weather holds,” said Kayser. “If we have a good Friday and Saturday the weekend before Christmas, that can make it or break it.”

“It is neat how the community comes through - not just the Salvation Army, but all the organizations,” said Sjogren, who moved to Cedar Rapids in July with her husband Michael, also a Salvation Army lieutenant, and their two daughters to lead the local agency.

“I don't know if it's the flood or what,” she said. “It's great to see people happy.”