Volunteers Work to Put Smiles on 1,500 Children’s Faces on Christmas Morning

As weather turns colder, hundreds of volunteers and donors are working to warm the hearts of more than 1,500 Marion County children this winter through the Junior Service Guild’s Christmas Clearinghouse.

Two volunteers hold toys with many others in the background at the Christmas Clearinghouse. — Jodi Rife and another volunteer hold some of the 4,500 toys for local children.

“What motivates us is a strong belief that all children deserve a smile on their face on Christmas,” said Bev Young, a member of the Junior Service Guild member and the Christmas Clearinghouse toy chairperson.

Onlookers watch as volunteers kneel on the ground to race their peanuts across the street. — Volunteers race to push peanuts across Main Street with their noses.

Peanut Push Funds Christmas Toy Drive

The Guild and WMRN radio host Charlie Evers started the Peanut Push in 1969 to support the Clearinghouse.

Daniel Bradshaw has competed every year since 2016. He is the reigning Peanut Push King.

“Every kid deserves Christmas and I’m happy to contribute,” Bradshaw said. “It’s one of those traditions that’s uniquely Marion. You can’t help but love it. What brings me back year after year is the cause behind it all. The work being done by the Junior Service Guild with Christmas Clearinghouse is amazing.”

Daniel Bradshaw is a white man wearing a crown over his knit hat. He has tape over his nose to protect it while pushing the peanut across the ground. — Daniel Bradshaw

The WMRN Peanut Push is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 in Founder’s Park. Participants willing to push a peanut across the road with their nose can sign up online or at Mike’s Deli, 153 S. Main Street, at 9 a.m. that morning.

Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for minors. The Guild is looking for more youth to join the Peanut Push, such as sports teams or youth groups. The top fundraisers become the Peanut Push royalty.

“Christmas Clearinghouse is an amazing cause and the Peanut Push is a fun way to serve the Marion community,” said 2023 Peanut Push Queen Elizabeth Millisor. “The Junior Service Guild makes many contributions to the Marion community, but Christmas Clearinghouse is my favorite! Christmas is the season of giving and helping provide a better holiday season for 1,500 children of Marion last year was fantastic!”

A motorcycle club presents a check for $41,371 to the director of the Christmas Clearinghouse at the Peanut Push. — The Marion Area Harley Riders Association is one of the largest donors to the Christmas Clearinghouse.

Clearinghouse Toy Drive Kicks Off

Young is working to find 4,500 gifts for children and teens in need, or one small, medium and large gift for each recipient. The Guild has 80 donation boxes around the community.

“We are anticipating a higher need this year. The community is very willing to help us,” Young said.

Volunteers are motivated to make sure both children and their parents have a joyful holiday.

“Every year, a parent mentions that a child is hoping for one special gift. When we can pull it out, they are in tears,” Young said. “The Christmas Clearinghouse is really important to our community.”

Registration For Families Nov. 4-9

graphic about the Christmas Clearinghouse registration dates on Mon., Nov. 4 & Wed., Nov. 6 from 4:30 - 7 pm and Saturday, Nov. 9 from 8 am - 11 am at 1680 Marion-Waldo Road.
Parents and guardians with a demonstrated need can register on Monday, Nov. 4 and Wed., Nov. 6 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. and Saturday Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 1680 Marion-Waldo Road.

Guardians must bring their photo ID, a birth certificate or custody papers for each child, and proof of address in Marion County, such as a utility bill, rent statement or mortgage statement.

Each registered parent will come through the Christmas Clearinghouse on Dec. 14. The parent picks out toys the child will like as well as warm items such as blankets hats, socks and gloves. Each child receives new books and a gift card. Families also take home a box of nonperishable food. One group is especially in need of donations.

“Coming up with nice things for teens is a challenge. They deserve to have a nice Christmas, too. We work hard to find the right gifts. Any help with that is a good thing,” Young said.

Clearinghouse Donation Drive Dec. 2-13

Donors can drop off monetary donations or new toys, blankets, hats, gloves, socks, books and food items from Dec. 2 – 13 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 1680 Marion-Waldo Road.

“The Clearinghouse has just been so fortunate that the community stands behind this project. We could never do all of this without the businesses, churches, schools and individuals that work with us,” said Jodi Rife, the director of the Clearinghouse.

decorative graphic about the Christmas Clearinghouse drop-off dec. 2 - 13 from 4:30-6:30 pm at 1680 Marion-Waldo Road.

For more info:

Email: jsgchristmasclearinghouse@gmail.com

Peanut Push Facebook Event

Junior Service Guild of Marion Facebook Page

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