Saturday was a big day in downtown Gainesville. There was the 28th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show. Tens of thousands of extra people downtown for the festival.
But that’s not what caught my eye. It was the hundreds of people standing in front of the Junior League building on Main Street.
Saturday was Junior League’s 19th annual Miracle on Main Street toy giveaway.
Junior League's warehouse full of toys before the event began
Junior League gives away new and gently used toys to needy families in the Gainesville community during the event.
Thirty Junior Leaguers were up bright and early Saturday with most arriving by 5:30 a.m. They were met by nearly 100 people already waiting in line. Elaine Almond, chair of the event, said the first person in line arrived at 1 a.m.
Miracle on Main Street is one of Junior League’s biggest projects of the year, said Almond. This year 334 families benefited from the event that began at 8:30 a.m.
(Video from the Miracle on Main Street 2008 event.)
“I would say 98% of the toys are new,” Almond said proudly. Proceeds from Junior League’s thrift store on Main Street go to purchase the toys.
Each family is given a voucher with 30 points on it. Each toy is ranked on a point system.
Almond gave examples, “A bike is 15 points, while a Barbie is four points,” she said.
The families were able to walk through a warehouse filled with toys and decorated with Christmas trees and decorations. Bright red t-shirts were worn by the Junior League volunteers, while some even donned reindeer antlers.
An excited young girl with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to hear Christmas wishes from the children, while cheery Christmas carols rang out in the background.
The impact on the community is apparent.
“The experience you see of families going through to shop and how thankful they are. People are really appreciative,” Almond said.
“It really brings joy to their faces.”
Junior League partnered with the UF Athletic Association and 59 student athletes were at the event Saturday.
UF lacrosse player, Jenna Hildebrand, spent the morning wrapping gifts for the families.
Her face lit up as she recalled talking to a grandmother who explained that for the past three years she was unable to buy any gifts at all.
“I liked being here because I was helping people and helping the community,” she said.
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- Junior League’s warehouse full of toys before the event began
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- Volunteers passing out breakfast
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- A man smiles after choosing toys for his family
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- UF student athletes wrapping Christmas presents
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- An excited young girl with Santa and Mrs. Claus
It is so great when communities come together and support those in need. I’m sure this event helped so many people, reaching even more than the 334 families that were directly impacted. What a fantastic opportunity for students from UF to get involved as well. From reading this story, it sounds like both the servers and the served greatly appreciated this event. Hopefully it will be an example to other communities of how to come together and support those who really need it.
This was really sweet, I liked the picture of the man that picked out the toys for his family.