Helping Hand Mission still in need of toy donations for Christmas

Long lines were outside Helping Hand Mission in Raleigh on Christmas Eve, all for donations.

There was a big turnout at the Rock Quarry Road location Sunday afternoon.

The director of Helping Hand told WRAL News she didn’t even know if she’d have enough toys or gifts to give when she woke up Sunday morning.

People stepped up in a big way and no donation has gone to waste.

"It’s just a blessing, being able to come and get gifts," David Alston said.

It's a chance for people like Alston to make sure his children still get a good holiday.

"It helps out a lot with my kids you know, because it’s expensive," Alston said.

For so many people, times are tough.

"I’m disabled and I’d have a difficult year with housing and things of that nature," Delores Boarman said.

But the need for toys and food over the holiday is still just as huge.

"We have run out of toys three times today and the line hasn’t stopped with people coming in asking for help," said director of Helping Hand Sylvia Wiggins.

Wiggins said every toy that came in Christmas Eve went right back out. Deadlines for other toy drives have passed.

"They shut down a certain time and that’s it, and people continue to drop," Wiggins said. "But I want them to drop off right here because we're not going anywhere."

Helping Hand is delivering right up through the end of Christmas. It's not too late to give Santa Claus some extra help.

"We’re gonna give until we get to the bottom of the barrel," Wiggins said.