By Rod Zook
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It was another successful Adopt-A-Child campaign for Eagle Radio station Country 102.9. More than 200 children in Reno County and surrounding areas will have a better Christmas thanks to the generosity of area residents and businesses.
"We had 209 kids this year from the names given to us by the Department of Children and Families, who we’ve worked with for at least 30 years," Country 102.9 Program Director Randy McKay said.
The names were taken by residents and companies who then purchased toys. The toys were dropped off at the old Long’s store where they were packaged and made ready for distribution. McKay says help from the community and the work from the Eagle Media Center is a feel-good moment.
"It warms the heart to see the generosity of the community and the outlying area because it's just fantastic," McKay said. "They always come through and we appreciate it."
The event, which has been going on for more than 30 years, has grown significantly since it started.
"We started way back when and we had maybe 16 kids," McKay said. "Those 16 kids were adopted the first day."
Since that time, the number of children adopted in the Christmas program totals between 200 and 300 each year.