Ellis County Toy Drive is under way

ELLIS COUNTY — The sixth annual Ellis County Toy Drive is under way and the community is again invited to participate in this county employee-led, county-wide activity. This year’s toy drive has been expanded to serve both the Texas Baptist Home for Children and the Presbyterian Children’s Home. Efforts are being coordinated by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, the local Department of Public Safety office, and the Waxahachie Police Department.

Presents and gift cards are being requested so that each of the 94 children in care will have at least one present under the Christmas tree. Donations may be dropped off at any of the following county offices, where boxes have been set up for your convenience:

• Ellis County Sheriff’s Office (main station)
• all four county precinct barns
• Adult Probation Services
• Ellis County Clerk’s Office
• Ellis County District Clerk’s Office
• Ellis County Tax Office
• Constable Pct. 1, 2 and 3 offices
• Waxahachie Police Department

Donations will be accepted at the county offices through Monday, Nov. 30. Prior to that end date, deputies and troopers will be on hand at the Walmart stores in Ennis, Midlothian and Waxahachie on Friday, Nov. 27, with a paper gingerbread man for each of the children. Each gingerbread man will list a child’s first name, age, sex and his or her three wishes.

The community is asked to please consider taking one or more of the gingerbread men and shopping for the wish items that are listed. These are small items and many of the requests are for toiletries and socks. After shopping and making the purchases, the items are then dropped off with the deputies and troopers there at the stores. The deputies and troopers will be on hand beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27.

For questions or to make a donation, contact Deputy Hunter Barnes at 972-825-4949 or Deputy Jeff Prater at 972-825-4934.

UPDATE 11/29/2015

Presents and gift cards must be dropped off no later than 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at these four remaining drop-off sites:

Ellis County Sheriff's Office (main station – 300 S. Jackston St., Waxahachie)

Courts and Administration Building, Waxahachie – tax assessor, district clerk, county clerk offices

All other drop-off sites have been picked up by the deputies.