One of Asheville’s finest Christmas traditions has returned as Ingles Markets joins Eblen Charities St. Nicholas Project once again in the Ingles Toy Store at the Westgate Shopping Center.
For the sixth year, the Ingles Toy Store is the site of thousands of toys, games, dolls, clothes, and stocking stuffers that will serve families and their children in our community who may be less fortunate during these difficult times.
In partnership with Eblen Charities St. Nicholas Project , the Ingles Toy Store will once again be one of the busiest centers of Christmas activity in our area as thousands of children have already been registered for the St. Nicholas Project since the sign-ups began October 1.
“This Christmas thousands of area children will have a brighter Christmas thanks to the generosity of Ingles, WLOS, iHeart Media , Asheville Citizen-Times, Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry, Tony and Isa Fraga, the Smoky Mountain Toy Run, Two Men and a Truck, the Smoky Mountain Harley Owners Group, Buncombe County Schools, Barnes & Noble, Mission Hospital, the Biltmore Company, Friday Staffing, Wicked Weed Brewing, and so many others who have volunteered their time, collected toys and have donated so far this year.” states Bill Murdock, executive director of Eblen Charities. “To again be working with Ingles and so many on such a wonderful and important project is not only a great honor for us, but will touch so many more lives than ever before.”
The St. Nicholas Project is also serving more than a dozen schools and agencies in our community with Christmas assistance this year, which includes nearly 1,000 additional children.
Registration for Christmas assistance will continue Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm until December 21 at the Waddell Client Service Center at Westgate. The store is open for families to shop Monday through Thursday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and Fridays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The store will also be open on Saturday, December 15 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Ingles Toy Store at 80 Westgate Parkway in the Westgate Shopping Center (the old Bon Marche Department Store).
But as the Christmas Season is just beginning as more and more families are contacting Eblen Charities this year during these difficult economic times than ever before. So donations are still needed to provide a bright Christmas for those who are facing difficult times. Toys and donations can be dropped off at the Ingles Toy Store or the Eblen Charities Waddell Client Service Center at the Westgate Shopping Center, any area Ingles Markets, or at numerous places around our community.