Please read to the very end to find out if we made goal this year. Our goal this year was to serve 3,000 children.
On October 12, 2023, Grampa Bill & Gramma Gail were involved in an automobile accident. Thankfully everyone involved walked, errr actually, were driven away in ambulances, to the hospital. Gramma sustained several very ugly bruises. Grampa suffered a lot of pain throughout his whole body. The accident did put us a little behind on getting to announce the toy giveaway to the public. But as they say, "The show must go on."
Grampa Bill & Gramma Gail For Everyone held their FOURTH annual toy giveaway on December 5 through the 11 at First Christian Church of Tacoma, located at 602 North Orchard Street, Tacoma, Washington. We were allowed to start the load-in and set up early. We had seven days to get everything moved to the church and set up for our grand opening at 9 AM on December 5, 2023.
We gained our 501c3 status in March of this year. We will be spending 2024 learning more about how to put it to good use.
There were several new changes made this year. We had our families come in the door they went out last year. Sign-in was held in the Foyer (lobby) of the church. As our families entered the church, they were greeted by Cassie and Katy. There was a seating area where folks could sit comfortably while waiting their turn to shop. Often, throughout the day Gramma Gail, could be seen offering a small treat to our guests while they waited.
Last year, we determined the number of volunteers needed to run the giveaway efficiently would be twenty-two. We ran the 2023 event severely understaffed. We averaged a total number of seven volunteers on board all day, each day, with reinforcements in the afternoons. Among those who lent a hand when they could were, Grampa Bill & Gramma Gail, Debbie McMillan, Jennifer McMillan, Cassandra Tripp, Mark Fry, Katy Mundy, Lacee Forsythe, Jeff & Colleen, Megan Taylor, Clayton Rowe, Nic Sweet, Frankie Sweet, Rowan Mckinny, Bob Johnson, Angela Davis, Laura Klosterman, Todd Klosterman, Marilyn Gill, Megan Taylor, Francie Butts, Steven & Chyneice Butts, Sharol Cook, Lisa & Ashley Brinkley. There were a few others, but they did not turn in their paperwork. Gramma's getting old and forgetful. A great big thank-you to you all. We appreciate your help and look forward to working with you a lot more in the near future. (Watch out we got your name and number lol).
This year was different also because we had many people bringing us donations for next year's toy giveaway. Even now, our living room looks like a toy storage unit that blew up. Hopefully, I will get some time in the very near future to share some pictures.
Grampa Bill and Gramma Gail had green vests with their logo and the word Volunteer written on the back so our clients would know who to ask for help.
One more change was the addition of our MISFIT TABLE. The name was taken from the Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer movie. We had several items come thru processing that may have been missing one our two pieces. A game could still be played and enjoyed, it just had a small misfit. A stuffie or a piece of clothing may have had a small stain we were unable to remove, it just had a small misfit. These were/are items that we didn't want to offer as "gifts" but still had lots of life left in them.
One final thing that was actually added last year, but I can't remember if I mentioned it or not, was our stocking stuffers area. This is a circular display rack that was filled wit a lot, and I do mean A LOT, of small stocking stuffer items. There was no limit to the number of items a parent was allowed to take. They were given the offer to take what they wanted.
Several collaborations for 2024 are in the works:
Adam from Stars4Peace, is talking with us about going together to get into mischief in 2024. We are very excited to see what this endeavor is going to look like. Stay tuned, watch our pages either, www.gpabillgmagail.org or Adams page http://www.Stars4peace.org for updates.
Gramma Gail has been in conversation with Tacoma Housing Authority as well as Impact Schools, to see what other opportunities we can provide.
One of our new volunteers Megan Taylor has agreed to give us help and direction with our non-profit. SO much excitement in the air for us right now!!!!
Our program changed a little in several areas this year:
Thanks to Cassie and Katy, registration was automated. Everyone was encouraged to sign up on our website.
We used virtual tokens instead of poker chips
Clients did not have to fill out their raffle tickets (unless they were walk-ins) again, thanks to Cassie & Katy and their computer skills.
Every child being shopped for received one "free" book and a "free" stuffie. Everything is free at our giveaways. Customers are given virtual tokens to "spend".
A FEW WORDS ABOUT DONATIONS
Talking about donations, we are collecting toys, books, games, cash, stuffies, jewelry, clothing (size NB to 18), etc. for next year's giveaway. If you have any new or gently used items that need a new home or know of someone looking for a place to donate said items, please keep us in mind and give me a call or an e-mail so we can arrange to pick them up. Gail@gpabillgmagail.org or 253-831-7894. If I don't respond to you within 24 hours, please send it again. E-mail is the BEST way to contact me :-). Please feel free to give our phone number out.
Side note: please do not send broken toys or torn clothes.
We do not have the staff or resources to dispose of said items.
THE BOTTOM LINE
2020 the very first B & G Sponsored Toy Giveaway was held at our home. We did not keep any stats on this giveaway. Little did we know, at the time, it would develop into a yearly non-profit event, and continues to grow.
2021 One thousand one hundred eighty-eight (1,188) children were given toys. Three hundred sixty-four (364) families served.
2022 two thousand one hundred ninety-eight (2,198) children were given toys. Five hundred seventy-nine (579) families served. GOAL REACHED!! The goal for 2023: three thousand children.
THE NUMBERS FOR 2023
1,149 families signed up for a total of 3,607 children. The reality is: We served two thousand three hundred ninety-four (2,394) children in seven hundred forty-three (743) families. Goal NOT reached. Goal for 2024: Over three thousand (3,000) children.
IN CLOSING
"This appears to be very hard work, (and it is) but we wouldn't stop for anything. We DO enjoy it." (Grampa Bill)
"We do this for the children, by the grace of God." (Gramma Gail)
We wish you all good health, happiness, and many blessings in 2024!
Happy New Year Everyone!!
Grampa Bill & Gramma Gail Rocheleau
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