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How the Magical Toy Drive is making a difference for families in the Charlotte area

A child should never be faced with not having Christmas presents. Unfortunately, there are thousands of kids in that situation right now in the Charlotte area.

PINEVILLE, N.C. — For over 20 years, WCNC Charlotte has joined with the Salvation Army to help make Christmas merrier for kids across the Charlotte area.  

This year is no exception, and the actual need is more than ever.  Sometimes a family can fall on hard times. They may have big medical bills, car repair, or a house payment. 

Those situations can literally leave them with no funds for Christmas presents.

The purpose of the Magical Toy Drive is to help these vulnerable families. 

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A child should never be faced with not having Christmas presents. Unfortunately, there are thousands of kids in that situation right now. In the Charlotte metro region, the estimated total is around 6,000. Area wide, the number is close to 15,000.

The Salvation Army’s Area Commander is Major Jason Burns. He said the response from those families who receive the toys is overwhelming, adding even the smallest gifts bring happiness to those who benefit from the project.   

Burns said some of these families are new to the area, new to the country, or just struggling to survive. They all are deeply appreciative and even become emotional when handed the big bag of Christmas gifts.

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Saturday, Dec. 9, was the big day for donations.  Dozens of people brought new, unwrapped toys to the Magical Toy Drive collection in the parking lot in front of the Belk department store at Carolina Place Mall.

Our friends at the Charlotte Soccer Academy donated a truck filled with toys.

 “The biggest message is that we want to make sure that we can provide for those that aren’t going to get anything for Christmas,” said Mark Thornton, Director of Operations at Charlotte Soccer Academy.

For families across our area, donation day has become an annual tradition.   Especially for the Brookhart family.

“We used to drop the toys off at the station,” mentioned Ben Brookhart.

Brookhart shared a picture with WCNC Charlotte of his son Charlie with Meteorologist Larry Sprinkle after attending a donation day years ago.

Now at 13, Charlie is helping keep the tradition alive. 

“It’s just so fun to go out every year and get all the toys for people that don’t have them,” Charlie stated.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out! We were able to collect nearly 3,400 toys on Saturday. It’s a single-day record.

Donations will be also collected inside Charlotte area Belk stores through Friday, Dec. 15. Anyone can also donate money online or purchase a toy online to have it shipped directly to the Salvation Army.

Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on FacebookX and Instagram.

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