Annual Bev Penix Memorial Toy Drive

Bev Penix Photo Credit: Jodie Harmon

by Jo Mayer

“Grandma Bev had a heart of gold,” recalls Allison Cole as she worked at the annual Bev Penix Memorial Toy Drive. “Even though we weren’t related, my kids called her Grandma—she was just like that.”

On Saturday, December 7, at the Mackinder-Glenn American Legion Hall, Bev’s two daughters remembered their mother by encouraging people to give to kids in the community.  “We wanted to do something in memory of my mom and because she was such a giving person, we came up with a toy drive to honor her memory and brighten Christmas for area kids in need.  We started working on it in my garage almost 9 years ago,” Jodie Penix Harmon, Bev’s daughter, remembers. “And after two years, it grew too big to fit there.  Allison Cole invited us to have it at Backstreet, so we had it there for a number of years, then moved it here about three years ago when the Sons of the American Legion [Mackinder Glenn Post 510] and the Ladies Auxiliary joined in to help, along with DJ Phatboy.”

In addition to the donated toys, the event held a Christmas basket and gift card raffle. The money raised from these items will also go to Stockbridge Community Outreach to be used to purchase Christmas supplies for Outreach clients. Sons of the American Legion members, Al DeCroix and Marty Bliss, cheerfully tended a cash bar and the Ladies Auxiliary kept busy providing tacos and nachos from 7 until after 9 p.m.

Outreach has more than 115 families signed up for Christmas assistance. Those able to adopt a family should contact Karen at Outreach 517-851-7285 asap. (If you prefer Outreach staff and volunteers do the shopping, they will be happy to oblige, turning your monetary donation into presents for an area person or family.)  All gift donations are due at the office by December 16, 2019 and distribution of food and gifts will occur on Friday, December 20, from 9am until 2pm. 

Photo Credit: Jo Mayer

Toys presented to Outreach

Bev penix party 2019

Allison Powaga and Jodie Harmon, backed by DJ Phat Boy 2019 close up

Allison Cole confers with a lucky winner of a silent auction basket.