More than 200 children experienced a Christmas Eve to remember thanks to volunteers with the Carl U. Eggleston Foundation’s annual toy giveaway held Tuesday, Dec. 24 at the Prince Edward Elks Lodge in Farmville.

The event, in its 19th year, allows children and families in the county not only to choose their own gifts but also take photos with Santa Claus himself.

According to Eggleston, it’s a requirement for families to bring children with them, saying that it gives children an opportunity to choose their gifts and interact with Santa.

“We let them pick out the gifts that they want,” he said.

Eggleston, the event organizer, said there was $4,000 worth of toys, which included bicycles, dollhouses, and other many toys.

Winter coats, hats, and other clothing items were also distributed.

Eggleston noted because he has been blessed over the years, the idea for the toy giveaway began because he wanted to give back to his community and address the struggles many families experience of having to choose between gifts for their children and paying for essentials, such as heating, food, or paying taxes and bills.

“We realize that during this time of year, parents have the heating bills, they have their real estate taxes and taxes due, they have other expenses that they need to take care of, and sometimes the last thing they put money to is toys,” Eggleston said.

Before the toy giveaway, members of the foundation hosted a community leaders breakfast for the county and town police chiefs, the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors members and the Farmville Town Council members.

Eggleston said the Carl U. Eggleston Foundation accepts contributions during the year. Checks can be made payable to the Carl U. Eggleston Foundation, and sent to P.O. Box 548, Farmville, VA 23901.

He said the donations are tax-deductible, as the foundation is a nonprofit organization.