LAPLACE — Eliza Eugene believes to whom much is given, much is required. The president and founder of non-profit Blessed To Be A Blessing is excited for the organization’s annual Christmas toy drive.

“We started it a few years ago,” Eugene said. “We would have a jazz brunch and we would ask the attendees to bring a toy. There was no exchanging of money, just a toy. We would take all of the toys, along with toys from the District Attorney’s Office and businesses in the Parish, and distribute them during the holidays to underprivileged kids.”

This year, Blessed To Be A Blessing partnered with Marathon, St. John the Baptist School Board and Parent Teacher Organization, St. John the Baptist Health and Services, St. John the Baptist Library, the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office on the effort.

Aspen Steib, who in community relations for Marathon, said this is the second year the company is working with Blessed To Be A Blessing for the toy drive.

“Our recreation club gets together to host a holiday party of our employees’ children,” Steib said. “At the children’s Christmas party, in order for them to gain entrance into the party, they have to bring an unwrapped toy. Then, we donate the unwrapped toys. Our party will be Dec. 12, and we normally see 200 to 300 children. It’s a great opportunity for us to be a part of the community.”

Eugene said nearly 300 toys were donated last year and almost 500 people attended the giveaway.

This year the event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16 at the St. John the Baptist Community Center, which is part of the second annual Evening of Song, sponsored by the Parish Library.

The toy drive is open to all families and all school-aged children in prekindergarten through junior high.

People can donate toys at Eugene’s office, 2015 W. Airline Hwy. in LaPlace, or call 985-359-9954. Volunteers can also pick up toys or give someone a box so they can collect toys for the toy drive.

Other locations where people can drop off toys are the St. John the Baptist Library in LaPlace or local schools.

“We are expanding this year and we are hoping we can get local churches and other people in the community to support it and drop a toy off at any of our sites,” Eugene said. “That way we can touch as many children’s hearts as we can. I don’t want to see any kid leave without something.”

Last year, organizers had toys set up in a separate area, and children were allowed to go in the room of blessings and walk away with whatever blessing they wanted.

“We don’t allow the parents to go in because; it’s about what that child wants,” Eugene said. “Sometimes the parents would tell them to get something because it’s bigger, but I prefer for the child go in there and let them decide. We have it broken down in groups based on age. From there, they walk up and down the row until they see what they like.”

As families arrive they are given a number. Once their number is called, the child gets to go pick out the toy.

“We have everything from trucks, games and dolls,” Eugene said. “There are also educational items. We also get toy make-up, costume jewelry and bikes. I would love for one year to give 500 bikes out; we would have rows and rows of bikes. When I was a little girl, you would ride your bicycle up and down the street and that was our way of transportation. This year we hope to start off with 50.”

Eugene said the organization asks people not do donate toys that are weapons.

“It’s all about the children,” she said. “I know the struggles of a parent that worked very hard to provide for their kids. But sometimes parents don’t have the extra money, and I know how disappointing it is for the parents and also for the kids. So I feel as though I’ve been blessed because I’m truly an example, I’m a product of this community. I feel obligated. It’s my calling and my duty to give back. We hope families that really need this take advantage of it.”

— By Raquel Derganz Baker