Local woman collects toys for 61 kids

Russellville resident Charlotte Orrick is working to collect Christmas gifts for 61 local children.

Russellville resident Charlotte Orrick had no idea that a simple gesture like buying Christmas presents for her nieces and nephews would turn into a project that would have her helping 61 children have a merrier Christmas this year.

Orrick said she first decided to get presents for her 12 nieces and nephews since several of them had lost everything to the April 27 tornado that tore through Phil Campbell.

“I make Alabama and Auburn jewelry that I sold to raise money to buy gifts for them,” Orrick said. “I put it on my Facebook page so people could buy the jewelry and help out if they wanted to and I started getting messages from several people who knew of other kids that needed Christmas presents that lost everything or whose parents were having a hard time.”

Orrick said she just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to help these children in need and pretty soon, she had 61 children signed up to receive gifts.

“I finally had to put a limit on it because I didn’t know how many more kids I could help at that point,” she said.

With the money she raised from jewelry sales and from the donations of money and toys she has received, Orrick purchased toys, clothing and accessories that now completely cover the living room at her home.

“My children couldn’t believe all the stuff that was there once it started coming in,” she said. “We have presents everywhere. It looks like Santa’s workshop.”

Orrick said even though she has been able to purchase many items thus far, she has 61 children to provide for this Christmas and she hopes to receive even more donations from people in the community willing to help.

“I’d really like to make sure every child has a pair of shoes and I also want to include some food,” she said.

In the next couple of weeks, Orrick said she hoped to be out knocking on doors in the community to get canned goods to could give to these families as well.

“My parents and my sister and her kids lost everything they had so I’ve seen first-hand how hard it can be to get by when everything is gone,” she said. “Right after the tornado, I went from church to church trying to find them all clothes to wear and I know it’s been hard for them.

“If you lose all your stuff in a matter of seconds, you don’t recover from that immediately, so until those people get on their feet, I’m just going to keep helping.”

Orrick said she is accepting any donations of clothing and toys from newborn to age 18. She also said she would be glad to accept donations of food, money, wrapping paper or just volunteers who could give their time to help wrap presents or organize the gifts.

“This is a big project and any help I can get would really be appreciated,” she said.

To make a monetary donation, a fund has been created at CB&S Bank called Franklin County Christmas Fund. Orrick said any other donations of clothes, toys, food or wrapping paper can be left in boxes placed at Russellville Pharmacy and Russellville Financial.

For any other questions, contact Orrick at 256-668-6377.