Auburn (WSYR-TV) - More than one hundred families in Cayuga County are getting a second chance at Christmas. Earlier this week, many were turned away from a toy giveaway after an overwhelming turnout of close to a thousand people.
The people who were turned away, however, were grateful for the second chance on Christmas Eve.
The excitement of searching for that perfect toy is enough to brighten up the holiday season for children who might otherwise go without.
"You get to get a toy and play with something new," said Jordan Congdon, who was turned away from the first giveaway last week.
It was a Christmas families like Jordan's thought they might never have, after they showed up to last Sunday's toy giveaway and left empty-handed.
"I was like awww...came here for nothing," Congdon said.
Some children left in tears at the first event.
"They were sad [and] started crying," said Duanna Johnson.
The mood on Christmas Eve was very different.
With other businesses stepping up to donate, a second take on Holiday of Hope was possible.
This time around, organizers required them to register for the event to prove they are in fact, in need. They say this prevented the problems that they ran into at the first Giveaway.
Holiday of Hope Giveaway gets a second chance
Dec. 23
Auburn (WSYR-TV) - A holiday giveaway that ended in heartbreak for so many families in Auburn may have a happy ending after all. On Sunday, close to 1,000 people in need stood in line hoping to get toys for their children.
But with the overwhelming turnout at the Holiday Inn, hundreds were turned away. Organizers say the number of people who showed up exceeded the capacity in the room where the event was held. This caused some people who left without a toy, to get angry. The police were called in to control the crowds.
Despite the challenging first attempt, organizers will hold a second Holiday of Hope giveaway Friday for those who missed out.
For volunteers setting up, it's "take two" for a giveaway that wasn't expected to be held again until next year.
Among those turned away during the first attempt were angry and confused parents, as well as upset and disappointed children.
"There were families leaving the event that had children crying. I have two children and there is nothing more that breaks my heart than to hear the the children are upset," said Sean Wrench.
When the news spread, community organizations and businesses picked up the phone to help. One of the biggest contributors was the Salmon Run Chapter of the Toys for Tots campaign, which had leftover toys.
"We've contacted all the agencies that we work with in Cayuga County and let them know that if they have anyone that was turned away on Sunday they can come," Wrench said.
Unlike the last giveaway, people need to be a resident of Cayuga County and they have to be able to prove the are in need.
"They must provide us with their name and phone number, the name of the local agency they are working with and their case worker's name," Wrench said.
The Holiday of Hope Giveaway will be held at the Finger Lakes Mall in Auburn at the former Steve and Barry's store on Friday from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m.
