WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Thursday, Dec. 5 marked the 14th year that The Greenbrier has donated toys to regional non-profits as part of their Dream Tree for Kids initiative.
The program has been happening since the Justice family purchased The Greenbrier Resort. In total, around 30,000 gifts are being given to around 100 non-profits from West Virginia and surrounding states.
“Word of mouth spreads and people hear about it. There’s a lot of need out there and there’s a lot of children that need something to have a happy Christmas morning. They find out that this dream tree project does that and a lot of new people step up each year and we’re happy to find help to make sure we’re able to do it for as many as we can,” said Cam Huffman, director of public relations for The Greenbrier.
Non-profits were given their toys at The Greenbrier’s sports performance center. One organization made the trip from Charleston through icy conditions so they could help make all the difference for children in need this Christmas.
“The roads were getting pretty bad. People were going into the ditches, tractor trailers jackknifed and everything. I took it a little bit slow but we got up here. We’re just trying to get these gifts and give them to the right kids,” said Richard Reed from Union Mission Ministries.
Huffman says the program has grown bigger every year. This year he says the program was made possible thanks to organizations like The First Responders Children’s Foundation’s Toy Express and Good360, both organizations helped gather the gifts.
He adds the initiative wouldn’t be possible without the help from volunteers.
Huffman says the toys given out will go to children of different ages. Adding that each pallet of gifts given out is catered specifically to each of the non-profits involved to meet the organizations specific needs.
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