Melissa Elliott, Henderson City Council member and founder of Gang Free, Inc., was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss her organization’s third annual partnership with other community groups in a toy drive for Vance County children.

In collaboration with Franklin-Vance-Warren (F-V-W) Opportunity, Deep South Tattoo and Coffey Bail Bonds, Elliott and the local youth involved with Gang Free will be collecting toys in the parking lot of both Roses locations in Henderson – Dabney Drive and Norlina Road – on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

According to Elliott, the majority of youth receiving toys will be age 14 and younger. Suggested donations include educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) toys to promote learning, dolls, and winter outerwear such as coats, gloves and hats.

“You can specify the age and gender of the child that you’d like to receive your donation and we’ll make sure it happens,” said Elliott.

Toys will be distributed to local families in need on Friday, December 21. Elliott said the organizations have set a goal of assisting at least 250 families with Christmas toys this year.

“We aren’t trying to make Christmas for every family but hope to provide at least one special toy for a child that otherwise would not receive anything,” said Elliott. “There are a lot of children in our county that don’t receive Christmas toys because their parents just can’t afford it.”

If you are unable to drop your donation off at Roses on Saturday, Elliott said the group will be collecting toys at any of the following locations through Thursday, December 20:

Gang Free, Inc – 940 County Home Rd., Henderson

Deep South Tattoo – 626 Corbitt Rd., Henderson

F-V-W Opportunity – 180 S. Beckford Dr., Henderson

To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.