Twin 5-year-olds Cora and Sofia Levandowski reached their goal of collecting more than 100 toys for kids this Christmas in Meeker County.
The twins, along with their mother Jena Levandowski and father Aron Levandowski, wanted to do something for kids who would not have toys to open Christmas morning. They began collecting toys in the summer. The family, owners of Levandowski Pottery in Dassel, decided they wanted to fill their kiln up with toys. The toy drive ended Dec. 13 with a pottery giveaway for those who contributed toys to the drive.
Their mother Jena Levandowski said they collected enough toys to fill their kiln and some.
“It made me tear up because it was so many toys,” Jena said.
Cora said the kiln could not fit all of the toys.
“It’s over flowing,” Cora said. “We got a lot of toys”
On Dec. 14, Jena, Cora and Sofia brought two truck loads worth of toys to the Meeker County Courthouse to contribute to their Meeker County Holiday Project toy drive. As the Levandowskis, all of the toys will benefit Meeker County kids. The Holiday Project, through United Community Action Partnership (UCAP), collected more than 5,000 toys and will benefit more than 600 families in the region.
Program Coordinator of UCAP Heather Jeseritz said the toy drive will benefit children ages 0 to 18 years old.
“It’s interesting to see kids collect toys and give them to other kids around the same age,” Jesertiz said.
The Meeker County Holiday Project is in its 42nd year of gift giving. Although it’s done taking donations for this year, they have other opportunities for those who wish to volunteer.
As for Cora and Sofia, they want to start collecting again, immediately. Sofia said her favorite part was collecting toys.
Cora was over joyed.
“Yeah we can start collecting for next year,” Cora said.
Jena said the family will do it again.
“We will collect toys throughout the year for 2019,” Jena said.
