ACC Receives Toy Donations for Christmas

Employees from Jamestown Implement and Total Recon donated toys to the Anne Carlsen Center on Dec. 19. Those who helped unload the toys at the ACC Jamestown Campus were Mary Anne Grove, left, and the Reuther family, right. Family members include (back row) Jake, Kevin, (front row) Kylee and Jodi.

A handful of Santa’s elves brought a few of Kris Kringle’s goodies to the good boys and girls at the Anne Carlsen Center (ACC).

Employees from Total Recon and Jamestown Implement filled a pickup bed with bicycles, tricycles and other toys, helping bring some extra cheer to ACC students just before the Christmas holiday. The children received the surprise while practicing their Christmas program.

“It is great that the kids here get to do a lot of different things,” said Kevin Reuther, owner of Total Recon. “When you see that, it is just wonderful.”

Reuther first contacted Troy Duven, a physical education teacher at the Center, and inquired about what items the children could use.

“This was very generous of them,” said Duven of the groups’ donations. “We have some John Deere tractor fans around here who are really excited. Also, with the bikes and trikes, we can work with the kids in a biking program. They will be great trainers for a lot of kids.”

Reuther was joined by Jamestown Implement’s Mary Anne Grove in the holiday mission. Reuther’s wife, Jodi, and their children, Jake and Kylee, also participated. In total, 24 tractors or farm toys were donated, along with three tricycles, two bicycles and a wagon.

Cade, a student at the Anne Carlsen Center, climbs on to one of the donated tricycles on Friday, Dec. 19, at the ACC gym. The tricycles were some of a number of toys donated to the Center by Jamestown Implement and Total Recon.

“I thought it was a wonderful surprise to have a gift of that magnitude,” said ACC Planned Giving Specialist Shelley Nannenga. “But what I love is they brought their kids, and those kids got to give and see the rewards of their giving. That is what it’s all about.”

“They did a great job picking out toys that are appropriate for kids throughout a lot of different stages,” said Duven. “There are manipulative toys, and toys appropriate for our younger students up through our older students.”

When the special delivery was made, the Center’s Christmas program practice came to a halt, and smiles sprang to the faces of many of the children. As each class finished practicing its respective portion of the program, students traveled to the toy pile to see the holiday haul. Some pointed and smiled, while others couldn’t contain their excitement – jumping on a bicycle or tricycle and giving it a test run.

“This is a very small way for Jamestown Implement to give back to a place that does so much good,” said Grove.

Along with bicycles and tricycles, the bundle of goodies included helmets, and toys such as miniature farm machinery, all decked out in John Deere green and yellow. The tricycles have over-sized tires to help keep a child upright, and the bikes have training wheels that could be removed.

“One thing the kids always seem to like is pushing buttons and playing with toys that make all kinds of sounds,” said Reuther.

The Anne Carlsen Center offers a rich tradition of empowering individuals with disabilities and their families. Our experienced staff provides compassion, training, services and supports in homes and communities across North Dakota. On our Jamestown Campus, we meet the educational, residential and therapeutic needs of children and young adults with behavioral disorders, medical fragility, and other developmental disabilities.