MAZON – Christmastime is coming, and for many parents that brings the stress of providing their children with gifts under the tree.

For the past five years a group of volunteers in Mazon has sought to lessen that stress by operating Toys for Joy out of the basement of Mazon United Methodist Church.

“Christmas should be enjoyable, not stressful,” said Tina Brookman of Mazon. “If we can relieve some of that pressure off parents we want to do that.”

Brookman, along with her daughter, Jamie Brookman, and friend Kris Webster, also of Mazon, spend each year gathering new and gently-used toys to give away to anyone who needs them each December.

The group accepts donations of gently-used toys that they clean up and get ready to go to a new home, along with new toys and gifts for teens.

Toys for Joy is being held the first two Saturdays of December at the church as a free event for families in need during the Christmas season to pick up toys and other items for their children.

“We do this because there are so many families who don’t qualify for help but still need it,” Brookman said.

She said the group also tends to get referrals from other agencies that have people call for Christmas help after a deadline has passed.

The goal of the group is for every child to get one new gift, and the rest from the gently-used items.

“If there is anyone who would like to donate items, we could use more items for the older kids,” Brookman said. “That’s the roughest age to get donations for.”

She said items for babies and the younger kids have always been easier to come by, but older kids need Christmas, too.

Brookman said for those who have items to donate but can’t get them to Mazon, there are volunteers who will help pick them up.

For questions or donations, call Tina Brookman at 815-448-2715

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Toys for Joy

WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12

WHERE: Mazon United Methodist Church, 509 Seventh St.

WHO: All are welcome and no qualifications are needed.