CLARKSVILLE, TN − On Dec. 16, several nonprofit organizations gathered to present donations to Byrns Darden Elementary School for the 14th annual Annie E. Moore Toy Drive. Several donations of toys and cold weather clothing were donated to the school.
The toy drive started with over 200 toys in 2011 and landed a total of 2,332 toys and cold weather clothing in 2024. School counselor Kimberly Warren expressed the concern of having the toys set up with appeal and ease of shopping. Several ladies of the Masonic Order and the community volunteered to assist with the setup, and the final product looked as appealing as a high-end department store. The new school principal, Ashlie Perry, was so pleased to receive the donations, she began discussing preparations for next year’s event. The donations service children ages 0 to 11 years old.
Martha Smith, Chairperson of the toy drive, stated generous support was received from the following contributors: Regional Network Enterprise Center and Logistics Readiness Center, both of Fort Campbell; New Jerusalem Five Fold Ministries; Warfield Lodge; St. Mary’s Order of the Eastern Star; A.M. Webb LOCOP; Hasan Court and Shrine Temple, R.E. Boyd Royal Arch Chapter; G.C. Jenkins Knights Templar; Clarksville Veterans Administration staff; and the NAACP.
Smith regrets to report the toy drive lost one its largest contributors as well as its Assistant Chairperson, Bessie M. Simms, the oldest daughter of Annie E. Moore. Simms passed away in November 2024. “Her beautiful smile in future photos and generosity to the cause will never be forgotten,” Smith said.