Jeff Canfield, left, store manager of Hy-Vee in Muscatine and DeWayne Hopkins, general manager of KWPC radio station broadcast live from inside the Hawkeye Hauler Friday morning. The hauler has been there all week collecting food donations fort he Freezin’ for Food campaign.

MUSCATINE, Iowa — His children are adults now, but Doug Krieger of Muscatine fondly recalls the wonder and excitement of their childhood Christmases.

“I can’t imagine a kid waking up on Christmas morning and not having something from Santa,” said Krieger.

And he’s doing his part to ensure fewer children have that experience.

This is the seventh year the Krieger Motor Group, which is owned by Krieger, is a sponsor of the Toy Time toy collection drive for children ages infant through 18.

This year’s drive takes place  Monday, Dec. 3-Saturday, Dec. 8, and is sponsored by the Krieger Auto Group, KWPC/KMCS Radio and the Muscatine Journal.

The toys are delivered to the local Salvation Army and Volunteers & Information for distribution to families who need them.

“We’re very fortunate that we have organizations in town that help families,” said Krieger. “But they need our help.”

Other area residents echo Krieger’s sentiments, conducting various projects and traditions that bring the holidays to those who need encouragement and assistance.

Community-wide  collections

The Toy Drive and the Freezin’ for Food drive are two Muscatine traditions that are so  ambitious a semitrailer is used to hold all the donations.

DeWayne Hopkins, general manager of KWPC radio station in Muscatine, said Freezin’ for Food is a regional effort started by another station in the radio group of which KWPC is a member.

On Monday, Nov. 26, Hopkins began taking donations in the Hy-Vee grocery store parking lot  from inside the Hawkeye Hauler, a semitrailer donated by Mike Riggan, owner of Tantara Transportation in Muscatine.

Today at 10:30 a.m., he’s taking the Hauler to Allsteel in Muscatine where that company’s members collected food to donate to the drive.

All the  food is taken to the Salvation Army in Muscatine to be used at Christmas and throughout the year.

Last year, the campaign brought in nearly 40,000 pounds, and Hopkins said this year’s goal is 50,000 pounds.

Working together

Capt. Mary Boyle, who oversees operations at the Muscatine Salvation Army with her husband, Capt. Quentin Boyle, said her agency cooperates with  Muscatine Volunteers & Information, the Seventh-day Adventist Church Community Services Center,  Pearl City Outreach Jesus Mission and Senior Resources to help ensure as many people as possible receive holiday gifts and food in Muscatine County.

“We want everybody to have Christmas,” said Carrie Bender, executive director of                Volunteers

& Information.

 Staff and volunteers at Volunteers & Information finished accepting applications for its 2007 Community Christmas Striving To Achieve Results program Nov. 19.

People who still want to apply for Christmas assistance are being referred to the Salvation Army, where applications are taken through Friday, Dec. 7.

Both agencies provide families with a holiday meal and the opportunity to select gifts for their children from items that have been donated by the community.

The agencies also work with people and businesses in the communty who chose to adopt families at Christmas and purchase gifts for them.

Cliff Campbell, director of the 2007 STAR program, said she has received 769 applications for children this year, which is nearly 200 more than in 2006.

The agency also received applications from 342 families as compared to 280 families last year.

More large families and people from small outlying towns applied this year and Campbell said that may be attributed to the rising cost of gas, food and other daily necessities.

Adventist Community Center

Ethel Purcell, director of the Adventist Community Services Center, said volunteers deliver 20 baskets to senior citizens and put together 20 more for area families to pick up.

“We have a tree for the people who come in and pick up their baskets, and if they have children, they can pick out a toy too,” said Purcell.

Purcell said the center also provides toys and jewelry to long-term care facilities to be used as bingo prizes. 

Pearl City Outreach Jesus Mission

Paula Napp, a secretary and volunteer at the Pearl City Outreach, expects nearly 600 people at its annual Christmas dinner from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14.

The event is held at 513 Mulberry Ave. where  Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit and give toys to the children. No registration is necessary for this free, public event. 

All the agencies and organizations welcome volunteers.

“Volunteer help is what the STAR program runs on,” said Bender. “And I’d like to say thank you. We have a very good community.”

“It requires a lot of time on our part, and there’s stress with that,” said Rauch. “But there’s such a good reason to be doing all this work.”

Contact Cynthia Beaudette at 563-263-2331 ext. 323 or cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com

Where to volunteer or donate for area Christmas programs

Toy Time

Where: Krieger’s GM Store, 501 U.S. Highway 61 Bypass West.

Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday and Thursday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

When: Monday, Dec. 3-Saturday, Dec. 8.

Contact: 263-5432

Donations: Toys for children ages newborn-18 years.

Volunteers & Information

Where: 415 E. Second St.

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Contact: 263-0959.

Salvation Army

Where: The Salvation Army, 1000 Oregon St.

Hours: 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.

Contact: 263-8272.

Seventh-day Adventist Church Adventist Community Center

Where: 1103 E. Ninth St.

Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays. Donate items at the back door.

Contact: 263-2562

 Salvation Army accepting applications for Christmas assistance

Where: The Salvation Army located at 1000 Oregon St. in Muscatine. When: 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday until Friday Dec. 7

Who: Muscatine County residents.

The following information must be provided at the time of application:

* Proof of residence in Muscatine County. Must have been a resident for at least 30 days.

* Picture ID

* Birth certificates, baptismal records or court papers showing custody for each child 16 years and younger.

* Social Security cards for all members of the household.

* Proof of household income including food stamp print out if applicable.

Please note:

Those who applied for assistance with another organization do not apply.

Confirmed victims of the June 1 tornado are urged to contact the Salvation Army for assistance.