Loving Hearts volunteers pause for a photo before the Toy Sale started. The best donated items are saved all year and stored in Manager Mary Newpower's husband Scott's airplane hanger. This year many of the items were new.
This year they had many high dollar items. Instead of pricing them out of what Manager Mary Newpower thought people could afford, she had those who wanted the items put their name in a drawing so it wasn't just first come, first serve. The Wii Sports and Games was new and retailed at $1,000. It was sold for $50.
SEELEY LAKE – Mission Bible Fellowship's fellowship hall was filled with new and gently used toys and gifts for this year's annual Loving Hearts Toy Sale. While the turn out was less than in previous years, the volunteers were happy for the opportunity to help provide Christmas gifts to local families who may have otherwise had a hard time purchasing presents for their loved ones.
Every year, Loving Hearts sets aside new and gently used toys that are donated. They also purchase new toys for the sale including things for adults with most items priced less than $5.
Loving Hearts Manager Mary Newpower said many of the items were new this year. She spent $200 of the Toy Sale budget purchasing brand new jewelry, arts and craft supplies, Barbies, dolls and remote controlled cars retailed at $24 that sold for $5.
"It's brand new toys that we sell inexpensively to help families," said volunteer Carrie Darrah.
In the past, they have had expensive items that were priced up to $100 that people wanted but couldn't afford.
"It's only fair that we try to make things affordable and reasonable for everybody," said Newpower.
This year they had several high dollar items including a brand new Wii with accessories retailed at $1,000 that sold for $50 and a large stuffed horse that retailed at more than $600 that was priced at $30. Newpower didn't think it was fair to offer them first come, first serve so she had those interested put their name in for a drawing.
"I wanted to make them available to everyone by pricing them reasonably and making them available that way," said Newpower. "We put them at a price that the average person in Seeley Lake could pay or negotiate."
Newpower added that she is willing to negotiate on pretty much anything in the store and she carried that over to the Toy Sale as well.
"The store is there to help and we are willing to step up and whatever people need, we are here to meet the needs by going the extra mile," said Newpower.
This year they raised more than $300 that goes to support the mission of Loving Hearts.
"When you sell brand new stuff for a dollar, you aren't trying to make money," said Darrah. "It is all about helping the community."
Newpower loves the Toy Sale because it is another way the community steps up and gives families the ability to purchase gifts for their children, giving them a hand up, not a hand out.
"Christmas-time is a time that kids look forward to all year. It is not a time that a kid should not be given something just because a family can't afford to give them anything," said Newpower. "We have been very blessed. The more that we give things away, the more we are getting back."
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