PALESTINE —
Thanks to a large toy donation from Walmart Distribution Center No. 6036 in Tucker, a handful of local organizations will be able to provide more toys to local children just in time for Christmas.
Associate of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 991 Representative Hattie Kitchens was contacted Monday by Walmart Distribution Center No. 6036 Operational Manager R.J. Hermans, who asked if the group would be interested in a 53-foot semi-trailer full of toys to provide to children in the area.
“I can’t thank Walmart Distribution Center enough. It was overwhelming when we opened that truck and saw all of the cases of toys,” Kitchens said.
The AVVA Chapter 991 had recently participated in a Toys for Tots™ event in conjunction with Dogwood Trails Assisted Living and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 991 in late November during a “Fill the Truck” chili cook-off event. The chapter collected toys in exchange for chili dinner tickets. A Vietnam-era Army truck had been set up at the site to collect the toys. After the chili cook-off event, the Army truck was moved to Walmart Supercenter’s parking lot to continue collecting toys.
“We filled up the truck that day with toys — it was amazing,” Kitchens said. “We had teamed up with the Toys for Tots™ out of Tyler, a trademark for the Marine Reserve. Because we teamed up with them, they allowed us to place boxes using their trade name to collect toys. The toys we collect stay in our community.”
Walmart Distribution Center’s donation Monday included 2,000 cases of Zhu Zhu pets and Zhu Zhu accessories.
“We called our members and they showed up in numbers — that’s what we do whenever there is a need in our community or our veterans need something, we are there and we get it done,” Kitchens said. “It took 22 members and friends about 2 1/2 hours of constant, non-stop assembly line work to get the truck unloaded box by box.”
The AVVA chapter distributed the toys to various groups holding local toy drives including the Rainbow Room, KYYK 98.3, Sanctuary House and the Palestine Herald-Press.
Some of the toys were donated to the families of Army soldiers from the 41st Fire Brigade, based in Fort Hood.
“They just came back from Afghanistan and will be deployed again right after the holidays,” Kitchens said. “They came to the Vietnam Veterans asking for assistance, and we are making it happen thanks to Walmart.”
Local Scene
Related Photos
-
Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 991, Associates of the VVA and other volunteers help unload a truck filled with cases of toys at the Disabled American Veterans Hall Monday in Palestine. The toys were donated by Walmart Distribution Center No. 6036 in Tucker. Courtesy Photo
Discussion
Donation to veteran group to benefit children at Christmas
- Local Scene
-
-
New mayor, others sworn in
Newly elected mayor Therrell Thomas took his new position on the Palestine City Council on Monday, being sworn in along with council members Steve Presley, Vernon Denmon and James Yelverton.
Thomas, who most recently held the District 5 seat on the council, defeated opponent Timothy Triplett, 471-432 votes, for the city’s top seat on May 11. -
Red Fire Grille chef named in Best Chefs America book
Executive Chef Christian Mailloux of Red Fire Grille restaurant in Palestine has been honored as one of the country’s top culinary talents in the inaugural edition of Best Chefs America, a 386-page coffee table book.
-
Framing History: Texas Art Depot preserves Civil War-era flag
Preserving memories is one of the things The Texas Art Gallery owners Mike and April Johnston enjoy doing the most in their business.
-
OUR TOWN: Area students win scholarships from The Terry Foundation
Two Anderson County high school seniors, Heather Lindy Wooden of Westwood High School and Nathaniel Aaron Edwards of Slocum High School, were recently named recipients of the highly sought after scholarships from The Terry Foundation.
-
Hill leaving post as chamber director
Meghan Hill, who has served as the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce’s executive director for the past three years, gave her resignation notice this week after accepting a job in Tyler.
-
Tea Party Ballet
-
VA2K Walk and Roll
-
YMCA T-Ball Action
-
Woman wins, donates $10,000 to PHS Project Graduation
When most people win money — especially a large amount like $10,000 — they start figuring out how they are going to spend it.
But when Texas Farm Bureau Insurance agent Toni Rogers won $10,000 during the Palestine High School Project Graduation’s annual “Draw Down” dinner on May 10, Rogers chose to donate it back to Project Graduation. -
Opening Day
- More Local Scene Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
