Chamber of Commerce collects letters to Santa, Toys for Tots in downtown event

By James Hanlon
Leader Staff Writer
It was an afternoon of holiday fun in downtown Oxford, Saturday, Dec. 5, as the Oxford Chamber of Commerce set up tables by the gazebo in Centennial Park, and handed out Santa letter writing kits and goodie bags filled with coupons from local businesses. The Chamber also teamed up with Oxford Village Police Department to collect Toys for Tots for the U.S. Marine Corps. Police Chief Mike Solwold brought the department’s Chevy Tahoe to fill the back with toy donations.

Spread over a couple hours, there was a steady stream of children and families. The Chamber’s Executive Director, Amy Desotell was impressed with the turnout. “People are excited to have something to do,” she said. “I mean we weren’t able to have the parade, which is sad but at least this is something. And it brings business downtown and that’s really what I care about is promoting the businesses.”
Usually appearing in the annual Christmas parade, an enchanted, walking, talking Christmas tree could be seen wandering throughout downtown. Folks were encouraged to take a picture with the tree, while holding a receipt from a downtown business, to be entered into a drawing. Winner should be announced today, Dec. 9. The Leader will report the winner next week.
Chief Solwold, who is also on the Chamber’s board of directors, was “thankful we had the turnout that we did today. We’re just trying to do whatever we possibly can to bring extra cheer this year with the pandemic. The output of the local businesses and residents in this town is just – every year, it’s not a shocker to me – it’s just phenomenal.”
Since 1947, Toys for Tots has been collecting and distributing toys to less fortunate children across the country at Christmas. Donation locations are available at the Oxford Chamber of Commerce office and Oxford Police Station located at 22 W. Burdick St. through December 17. All donated toys must be new and not gift-wrapped.
First installed on November 25, a special mailbox for children to send their letters to Santa will be behind the gazebo in Centennial Park until Wednesday, December 16.
The Chamber thanked Genysis Credit Union and Melissa Counelis of Counelis Farm Bureau for sponsoring the event, and the Oxford DDA for providing the grand prize $100 visa card.