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38 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, December 31, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 22, 2004 MaryAnn Pray, 24, looks through Christmas toys made available at The Salvation Army in Medford Tuesday, thanks to the donations of Rogue Valley residents. Pray, who has four children, joined 850 Rogue Valley families who registered for the holiday help. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Plenty of kids’ toys Salvation Army official says the ‘community rose up and helped’ when help was needed By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune For MaryAnn Pray and her four children, Santa Claus wore a Salvation Army uniform Tuesday. Pray and about 850 families in Jackson County picked up Christmas toys at The Salvation Army church in Medford as part of a holiday drive to help needy families. That’s a 21 percent increase over the 700 families served last year. "I know there’s a lot of families who need help, especially nowadays," said the 24-year-old Medford mother. The Salvation Army will have passed out enough presents this week to put smiles on the faces of 1,977 children. Pray said her family is struggling to make ends meet. She gave birth to a girl four months ago and is still recovering from a difficult pregnancy. Advertisement She picked out presents and stocking stuffers for her children and also received enough groceries to feed her family on Christmas Day. Sorting through what remained of the 3,954 toys originally spread out in the basement of the church, Pray decided to be a little practical in her choices. "I like more games than dolls because it gives them something to do all day," she said. "I like something where they can interact more with one another." The Salvation Army had enough toys for every family that signed up, but a week ago things didn’t look so bright. It was only at 4 p.m. Monday that Salvation Army officials counted all the toys and realized they had enough for all the children. "I’m absolutely thrilled with how the community rose up and helped," said development director Carrie Hanson. "It’s amazing that you just have to ask for help and people step forward." The Salvation Army was overwhelmed with the increase in the number of families needing help, and realized more toys were needed. "In one week alone we registered 300 families, and we went, ‘Whoa,’ " said Hanson. Groups as diverse as the Oregon State Police and Suncoast Distributing Co. held toy drives in which employees donated gifts to The Salvation Army’s cause. "Some folks just brought in toys to us after our cry for help last week," she said. In the end, families like Pray’s didn’t go away empty-handed, and enough toys were available for the different age groups of the children served. "No families that came to us for help were turned away," said Hanson. The Salvation Army helps families with incomes at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. That’s about $28,000 for a family of four. The Salvation Army continues to provide help to families throughout the year. Donations can be made at the offices at 304 Beatty St., or for more information, call 773-6965. Salvation Army’s holiday numbers 3,954 toys available for local children. 1,977 children received presents. 850 families served — up from 700 last year. Agency serves families earning less than 150 percent of federal poverty income. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Citibank Student Loans Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems