nothin Christmas Rescued | New Haven Independent

Christmas Rescued

Markeshia Ricks Photo

Travers, Chase, Breland and Dillon load up at Walmart.

With Christmas three days away, Metashar Dillon wanted to know which way to the toys.

That way,” her 6‑year-old son Chase yelled excitedly. And off they went pushing empty Walmart shopping carts.

Followed by several other volunteers pushing empty carts, the mother and son weren’t at the store to shop for themselves. They were there to find toys, hats, coats and gloves to replace the boxloads that had been obtained through an annual collection, and then stolen from the Dixwell police substation on Charles Street this past weekend.

Dillon heads up the annual giveaway. She said she was devastated when some Grinch had made off with items meant for needy children all over the city.

Thousands of dollars worth of toys and coats disappeared just days before the three-day, in-time-for Christmas giveaway was slated to start this week for 3,000 families that signed up and hundreds more who come through the doors. (Read about that here.) Dillon and her crew of volunteers put out an emergency call Monday for help replacing the donated items. The response was huge. (Read about that here.)

By the time Dillon, Chase and United Way of Greater New Haven’s Jim Travers stepped through the doors of the Walmart on Foxon Boulevard Tuesday, more than $4,000 in cash had been raised. Walmart also put a $500 gift card in their hands when they arrived.

The adults shopped with gusto for the most requested items on the list, especially dolls for little girls.

Dillon went with a two-handed, grab-and-go approach…

… while Travers went with a shelf-clearing, everything-in-the buggy strategy.

Chase was more methodical, choosing gifts for children his age and younger by carefully selecting each item and gingerly placing it in his cart.

Volunteers like Byron Breland helped fill shopping cart after shopping cart with everything from dolls to teddy bears.

Store Manager Bruce Van Brakle (pictured) stopped them in the middle of their shopping spree. He had news: He needed that $500 gift card back. That’s because he had just been notified by Walmart headquarters that that $500 had just turned into $5,000.

It’s a busy time, and it’s nice to be able to give out grants to help,” Van Brakle said.

Dillon screamed and then cried in the middle of the store. This is so unbelievable,” she said.

The additional money allowed the shoppers not just to replenish the toys, but to gather all the hats and warm coats that they could put their hands on. They also were able to buy some additional items specifically for a family that was burned out of their home this weekend.

Chase helped his mom clear several racks of coats for boys and girls his age.

Afterward, he was so proud that he and Dillon had a little impromptu dance party. This is the best Christmas ever. This is the best Christmas ever. This is the best Christmas ever,” they sang.

OK mom,” Chase said. Back to work.” And they headed for the front of the store to check out.

In addition to the money raised and the grant from Walmart, Yale Dining donated 70 toys; Yale School of Medicine donated five bags of toys; Foxwoods Casino delivered 11 pallets of toys collected through the Norwich Bulletin’s Tommy Toy Fund; the police department rolled up with loads of donations; and Wiggin & Dana LLP contributed cash and toys.

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