Community support saves group the provides toys on Christmas
Libby resident Star Phillips started Christmas is For Kids 12 years ago with a desire to help the community’s less fortunate. Every year since then she has solicited donations and provided toys to children for Christmas.
This year things became more complicated. Star, not only the group’s founder but also its driving force, was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. The illness has prevented her from putting in her normal amount of time on the project and some were worried that this would be the end of the program.
That all changed Dec. 6, when a group of local residents came together to save Christmas is For Kids. The group, led by Ronda Kair and Sami Kleppe, created a group on Facebook that rapidly grew to over 900 members, all working to solicit donations and keep the project alive.
“Christmas is For Kids is Star’s dream,” Kair said. “She saw a need in the community and she jumped in to fill it. It’s just the type of person that she is.”
Every year volunteers collect money, which they use to buy toys, as well as donated toys to distribute to the less fortunate. They allow parents to come in and pick up a toy for a child who otherwise might not have one on Christmas morning.
Unlike many other programs, there is neither paperwork nor qualification involved. If a person feels they have a need they are welcome to pick up a toy for their child. Last year Phillips and her volunteers provided toys for approximately 350 Libby-area children.
According to Kair, “There’s no longer a need to save Christmas is For Kids. Thanks to this whole community coming together, it has been saved.”
Kair praised the work of Star Phillips, “She is the most selfless person I’ve ever known.”
Kleppe echoed that sentiment. She said yesterday that Phillips felt well enough to go to church Sunday. The pastor and elders at Libby Christian Church asked her for what she would like them to pray. Her request: “Pray for my friends and for those I’m leaving behind. They’re having a hard time right now.”
The Christmas is For Kids toy giveaway will be held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15 at the Libby VFW.
Kair said people shouldn’t worry if they have to work, though, “as long as we have toys and people, we’ll be there. We don’t plan on quitting at 5.”