Waypoint to distribute more than 1,000 presents Tuesday

CEDAR RAPIDS - Last week, officials from Waypoint Services in Cedar Rapids put out an urgent call for donations to help fill a shortfall of gifts the agency had available to hand out this holiday season.

The community responded in robust fashion, officials said Monday in a news release.

Through its annual Waypoint Wonderland program, the agency - which provides shelter and housing for domestic abuse survivors and their families - plans to distribute presents from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at its administrative building, 318 Fifth St. SE in Cedar Rapids. The event is open to families utilizing Waypoint's Homeless and Housing Program, Domestic Violence Victims Services Program or KidsPoint Child Care Financial Assistance Program.

During the distribution, families arrive during their assigned timeslots to browse the gift selection in Waypoint's ballroom to pick out a set number of toys for their children ages 12 and younger. Parents may also pick out a gift from their own designated section made up of small appliances, blankets and housewares.

Waypoint volunteers are available to assist families with the 'shopping” process, gift-wrapping, and taking the presents out to their vehicles.

Last week, short on presents, Waypoint officials put out the call for help.

'The immense, generous response has caused Waypoint's tables and shelves to overflow with enough gifts to comfortably serve all of the families signed up this year,” agency officials said in a news release.

More than 1,000 gifts were donated in total.

'We are overwhelmed and thankful for all of the donations we received,” said Meghan Zalewski, marketing coordinator. 'Thank you to everyone who helped make Waypoint Wonderland an absolute success.”