Eagles have a 'miracle year' in toy drive

The Havre Eagles members held their annual toy drive this month and just finished delivering the gifts Tuesday in one of the biggest years in the history of the drive.

Eagles Auxiliary President Candace Dess headed the drive and collected the toys and donations. She also was in charge of wrapping and distributing the gifts. She said there were a few girl scouts that came to assist with the wrapping.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the drive was different this year. In previous years, parents were able to come in and pick out the gifts for their children according to their likes and dislikes.

This year, 10-minute appointments were given to parents of children in need to come in and pick up the gifts. Dess said they also delivered to people who were not able to make it into the club themselves.

“I do all the leg work, but the community really is the one, without them I couldn’t do anything. They really stepped up with the donations and monetary donations,” said Dess.

Dess was concerned at the beginning of the drive that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic would limit the donations and therefore limit the number of families she would be able to help this year.

Toy donations doubled this year and monetary donations were greater than in previous years, she said.

“We had over 2,000 toys, hats gloves, stockings and clothes. It was really nice and we were able to do a lot more than we have previous years,” said Dess.

Dess said the donations went further than just the gifts for the families. People brought her gift bags, wrapping paper and tape at the Eagles Club.

“It really was a miracle this year. As soon as I would get low on something, somebody would show up with it. It was just really a warm nice feeling,” she said.

She put a lot of work and time into this project and found it to be really emotional this year, Dess said.

“I want the gifts and toys to serve as a reminder that our community cares and that we’re thinking of them and their families. That is why it is so important to me,” she said.