In 2020, the Kalona Rotary collected 150 toys for area children as part of their Christmas toy drive and were hoping to beat that number this year. In 2021, the Rotary collected over 350 gifts, which will be distributed to the children of about 25 families in the Mid-Prairie school district.

The Rotary gathered on Tuesday, Dec. 14 for a wrapping party to get all the gifts ready to be delivered to their families.

“With 200 more gifts than in 2020, many hands made lighter work and we were able to get some new Rotarians and new wrappers involved,” said Rotary president Katie Miller. “It’s all worth it to know those 25 families (most with multiple kids) will be the recipients of so much love and generosity from our community. I’m really humbled by the entire process. Giving to those in need is something that was modeled for me as a child and continues today. I’m so glad I can share the gift of giving — not just items, but also our gift of time and compassion — to my own children.”

Miller said Mid-Prairie Alternative Learning Center Principal Amy Shalla and West Elementary Principal Robin Foster were driving forces behind identifying the 25 recipient families and organizing gifts for each child.

Thanks to monetary donations, Shalla and her students were able to shop for additional gifts to add to those donated by the community. Monetary donations also allowed the Rotary to provide Visa gift cards to all students 7th grade and older — CBI bank offered to pay the activation fees on all cards, allowing each student to receive more funds. Monetary donations and funds from JW’s Foods have allowed the Rotary to provide a grocery gift card to each family, as well.