NORTH SHELBY – Oak Mountain Middle School collected more than $23,000 Toys for Tots, allowing for the purchase of more than 2,000 toys for those in need this Christmas.

The results of the school’s annual Toys for Tots effort was announced during a special assembly on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

“I am reminded once again what great faculty and students I surround myself with each and every day,” Principal Larry Haynes said. “Many families will have a brighter Christmas thanks to your generosity and your willingness to get our community involved in this annual event.”

Oak Mountain Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society chapter led the effort again this year.

NJHS officer Emily Lunsford welcomed those in attendance, and then it was announced that a total of $23,206.26 was collected for the drive, and NJHS students used the money to purchase 2,258 toys from Walmart.

“It is our sincerest wish that these toys will not merely represent material things, but that they will bring joy and hope to the children who will receive them,” NJHS officer Emily Mardis said.

Fellow officer Chase Collins said grade levels competed against each other, with the eighth grade collecting the most with $9,627.86.

Officers Peyton Swann, Gayatri Kavumkal and Sai Korrapati thanked the community members who helped with the drive: New Latitude for the use of a truck to transport the toys, Move Daddy for delivering them to the distribution center, Walmart for allowing the shopping and donation of $500 in toys and bicycles, teacher Jodie Alaimo for organizing an Alabama/Auburn volleyball game fundraiser and the students in Gaye McKinnon’s Algebra I class, which brought in nearly a third of the total.

Staff Sgt. Bryan Adcock of the United States Marine Corps was at the assembly to accept the donations from the school.

While NJHS members loaded toys into a truck for delivery to the Toys for Tots distribution center, students sang Christmas carols.

Adcock said Toys for Tots’ Homewood collection and distribution center, which serves a six-county area around Birmingham, would accept donations until the delivery dates of Dec. 13 and 14.

The center is located at 124 Green Springs Highway in Homewood.

“If people want to bring something, they’re more than welcome,” Adcock said. “Every little bit helps.”