BERWICK, Pa. — Bags covered almost every inch of the floor at the Salvation Army of Berwick on Thursday, and they are organized down to the very last toy. This is the Salvation Army's annual Christmas distribution.
"The toys are from our Angel Tree program, from Toys for Tots, and the Talon Energy plant adopts kids and provides the toys for them," said Capt. Jennifer Buzzard.
More than 200 families received toys and food from the event.
Capt. Buzzard says it would not be possible without the help of dozens of volunteers.
"It's a wonderful feeling. You can see the busyness around and all of these volunteers, some who have put in hours and hours, here until midnight making sure all the toys are set up," Buzzard said.
"Every year, we count down. It's our thing. She works, and we just take off. We just come here because it's what we love," said volunteer Heather Stout.
Ashley Graaf and Heather Stout are cousins and have been volunteering here since they were children.
"It's a family event. We all do it every year—grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins. It's just nice to see everybody come in, people who just want some good Christmas fellowship, and it's great to see the smiling faces," Graaf said.
"We remember this single dad who has come for years, and we just cry every time he comes. He was our joy, our 'This is our reason why we volunteer,'" Stout added.
People who received donations were very grateful for the help this time of year.