JOPLIN, Mo. —
Joplin’s La Quinta Inn on South Range Line Road became a winter wonderland on Sunday for the Will Norton Memorial Toy Giveaway.
An estimated 5,000 gifts were given to about 500 children from 197 families, many of whom lost everything in the May 22 tornado.
Amy and Larry Jump lost their home at 2424 S. Joplin Ave. in the tornado. They have since found a rental house and are in the process of rebuilding.
On Sunday, the couple sat with their three sons, Conner, 8, Caden, 6, and Lucas, 3, sipping hot cocoa after receiving their presents. Amy said the event was much bigger than she anticipated.
“We were expecting a present or two, but they each have a huge bag,” she said. “I think it’s really cool that they can do something like this for so many kids.”
Conner said his favorite part of the event was receiving his toys, but he won’t know for sure what he got until he opens his presents on Christmas Day.
Volunteers from Relief Spark and the St. Lou Crew for Joplin spent months organizing the event.
Rose Fogarty, a founding member of the St. Lou Crew for Joplin, said Will Norton’s story was one of the reasons her group was founded. In the nearly seven months since the May 22 tornado, Fogarty said the St. Lou Crew has made several trips to Joplin bringing tractor-trailer loads of supplies, food and musical instruments. This weekend, the group was back with the fruits of a toy drive and a $5,000 donation from the South-Side Lions Club of St. Louis, as well as for the toy giveaway.
Fogarty, whose group of volunteers worked through the night in preparation for the event, said it was essential to attach Will Norton’s name to the event for two reasons — he inspired the creation of her organization and because of his generous spirit. Norton, a Joplin High School senior who graduated minutes before the storm hit, was among the 161 people killed by the tornado.
“We wanted to put his name on this because this is something he would have done,” Fogarty said.
Sidney Ray, founder and executive director of Relief Spark, said the event included a visit with Santa Claus for the children and a “gingerbread room” with refreshments.
Enchanted forest
Families also passed through an “enchanted forest” of Christmas trees donated by Lowe’s, then they were greeted by actors from the Dream Theatre Troupe decked out in Dickens-era garb. After having their names announced, each family visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus while a group of volunteer elves fetched the gifts.
In addition to Sunday’s event, Ray said Relief Spark continues to focus on Joplin’s long-term recovery. She said her organization is working with universities across the country to offer alternative spring break programs that will encourage college students to perform recovery work during their vacation from classes.
Ray said a group of students from New York University and a group of 150 construction students from Chico State in California will be coming to Joplin this spring to help build houses. Ray said students from Chico State built 18 houses with her organization in New Orleans in the years following Hurricane Katrina.
Deborah Morris, who lost her home in the tornado, attended Sunday’s event but with a different purpose: She donated a gift — the gift of sweets. Morris sat behind a table full of homemade goodies that included chocolate-covered marshmallows, candy canes and bananas, as well as gingerbread cookies, cherry blossoms and cupcakes.
Morris operates her own baking company, Yummy Goodness, out of her home. She is the parent of three special-needs children and said baking is a way of earning extra income while staying close to home. She said she welcomed the opportunity to work with Relief Spark and to give back.
That spirit of giving is something Tracey Presslor said she will always remember about her nephew, Will Norton. She said it is comforting for his family to see the inspiration he has given to others.
“It’s a healing event for us to know that, in his death, there was so much good inspired in others,” she said. “He was a very giving kid. He would have loved this.”
Local News
Related Photos
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Caden Jump is deep in thought as he visits with Santa Claus on Sunday during the Will Norton Memorial Toy Giveaway held at the La Quinta Inn in Joplin. Volunteers from Relief Spark and the St. Lou Crew for Joplin organized the event for area families, many of which lost everything in the May 22 tornado. Globe | Kellen Jenkins
Discussion
500 children receive gifts during toy giveaway
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