Inaugural toy drive serves many throughout the Panhandle

A&L Sales and Service hosted a toy drive from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday Dec. 15, in memory of co-owner Lindsey Chavez's father, George Armstrong.

This is the first of many planned toy drives at A&L, which allows parents to choose 1-2 presents per child.

The presents were stored at the back of the store and store workers were willing to wrap the presents, out of sight of the children. Before leaving, kids were given a little gift bag with just a few more treats to eat and enjoy.

The treat bags brought many smiles to all of the families, some of whom were struggling this holiday season.

By 10 a.m. more than 60 children had been served, with some coming from as far away as Alliance.

In times like these in the community, it is small kindnesses such as this, that help make the holiday season bright again.

"My father was the most giving person I ever knew," Lindsey said. "He would give even when he didn't have anything. For Alan and I to do this for the community would have made him very proud. All of our helpers did a fabulous job, we couldn't have done it without them!"