By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Six groups that help provide Christmas gifts for needy children received checks Saturday from the 29th annual Marion County Toy Run.

This year’s recipients included Marion County Food Bank, Families and Communities Together, Marion Community Christmas, Hillsboro Ministerial Alliance, Peabody Association of Churches, and Goessel Ministerial Alliance.

The toy run Nov. 6 raised more than $15,700 in donations, $2,000 more than any previous year.

It is sponsored by ABATE District 9 of Kansas, Hillsboro Sons of American Legion, and Route 56 Classic Cruisers.

Nathan Gift, pastor of Peabody United Methodist Church, said Peabody volunteers would deliver gifts to families shortly before Christmas.

Hunters who want to donate venison for needy families can provide the meat to Peabody Sausage House, which got state vouchers this year to cover processing costs, Gift said.