Christmas Cheer wraps up

Onslow County Christmas Cheer served more than 4,300 people this holiday season, despite a large decline in donations to the program.

Of those served, about 2,300 were children.

In years past the program has received about 23,000 toys to provide to needy children. This year Christmas Cheer started its distribution efforts with about 9,000 toys, said Sandra Wyrick, executive director at Onslow Community Outreach, the organization that runs Christmas Cheer.

“What makes it hard for Christmas Cheer is when the need is up the donations are down,” she said. “We found out a lot of people that usually give to us, they just couldn’t do it this year.”

Wyrick said the program compensated for the difference by giving fewer toys to each child.

“We adjusted accordingly,” she said. “I tell you everybody is so thankful for what they get.”