The 91原创 Advance Times has managed an exclusive interview with an insider 鈥� one of the few gents at the 91原创 Christmas Bureau.
After first helping out in 2018, Clint Davies is now a committed volunteer at the all-volunteer charity that gives toys and gifts and more to needy local families.
鈥淚 happened to know somebody 鈥� my wife,鈥� Clint Davies said of how be wrangled one of the coveted volunteer spots. 鈥淪he was a volunteer before me. She said 鈥榃e need extra hands and backs and legs. Would you like to go to work?鈥欌��
The bureau has since benefited from his hand, his back and his legs, not to mention his heart and tear ducts. Davies started in 2018 on Toy Depot Days.
鈥淚 elfed, and I helped to tear down,鈥� he explained.
On the three days of toy and gift distribution about a week to 10 days before Dec. 25, an elf accompanies each family to help them find age appropriate gifts for their children from birth to age 18. Volunteering at the Christmas bureau can be an emotional time.
鈥淭here is a lot of gratitude going around,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard even for those of us on this side of the table to not get weepy.鈥�
Now this year, he was in the door as soon as the Christmas Bureau set up for the season in late October.
鈥淚 loved it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about helping people. That鈥檚 what this whole thing is about 鈥� [helping] people who don鈥檛 otherwise have as much under the tree.鈥�
鈥� READ MORE: 91原创 Christmas Bureau wraps for the season
He was no stranger to the Christmas Bureau as a longtime member of the local barbershop singing group that has donated more than $100,000 raised over several years at an annual holiday concert.
鈥淚鈥檝e been supporting them for year through the First Capital Chorus,鈥� he said.
Davies has learned the unspoken lesson of volunteering at the 91原创 Christmas Bureau 鈥� once inside, volunteers are loathe to give up their spots.
鈥淚鈥檓 hooked. I can鈥檛 stay away now,鈥� Davies said.
It鈥檚 the season for giving! Our school board office staff collected and dropped off unwrapped toys at this year鈥檚 . So amazing to see everyone in our community supporting . Thanks to donors for your generous gifts.
鈥� 91原创 Schools (@91原创Schools)
