WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

A toy drive in Winston-Salem was able to help 135 kids have presents under the tree Christmas morning. The drive was based on one woman’s belief that God placed her in a position to help.

Anita “Boss Lady” Dean-Arnette has been holding the toy drive since 2001.  She initially started the drive because someone had told her they went to a local charity for help with toys and they were turned away.  With her status as a radio personality, she decided to extend a helping hand.

“When I look at the mothers faces they all have stories and I remember my childhood and what it would be like to not have a toy for my kids on Christmas morning,” said Dean-Arnette, a radio personality for “The Light” gospel radio station.  “We just want to see the smiles, and it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling.  I am just doing what God has given to me.”

All of the toys for the drive are donated from listeners of the radio station.  Each child receives three to four toys apiece. Recipients write Dean-Arnette with their wish list and she compiles a list and tries to accommodate the list as much as possible. On the day of the giveaway, parents are assigned a pick-up time to receive their toys and to take a photo with Santa.  All of the parents were gracious for the assistance.

“I think the toy drive is very important, and that Boss Lady works really hard and effortlessly to help support children who may not have a merry Christmas without it,” said Latisha Stuckey, a toy drive recipient.  “This means that my sons will have more to look forward to under the tree that they otherwise may not have had, so I thank her so much for that.”

Michael Carbone, chief operating officer of the radio station, says he loves the toy drive and as a public radio station the station should be helping the community. He said they want to bring the community and the people of God together, especially during the Christmas season.