Ed and Judy Clayton, owners of Clayton’s Garden Center in North Webster, are shown with some of the donations people have dropped off. The Claytons are taking the gifts to Ashe County, N.C., to give to children for Christmas. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Clayton’s Garden Center in North Webster is collecting donations to take to North Carolina soon. It’s an area that was ravaged by flooding recently.

The Claytons are going to where they go to pick up their Christmas trees every year.

Owner Ed Clayton said he and wife, Judy, will be taking the supplies Monday, Nov. 18. The couple will be picking up their Christmas trees at a company in Ashe County, N.C., which was hit hard by massive flooding from Hurricane Helene last month. The area is known for its Christmas trees.

“We have a big trailer we are taking,” said Ed. “I didn’t want it to be empty going down there.”

Called the “Christmas Kids Drive,” Ed said he is hoping to bring some cheer to an area that was hit hard by bad weather but has kind people. For Ed, it’s personal, as he knows people in the region and feels “it’s the right thing to do.”

“They are good people,” Ed said.

To donate, call (574) 834-2249 or stop by Clayton’s, 7185 SR 13, North Webster. Ed said he is accepting donations of toys, blankets and bedding, school supplies, and children’s books. All items must be new and in packages.

The deadline for items to be dropped off is Nov. 16.

Items may also be dropped off at the North Webster Community Center. To donate money, such as a check, make the check payable to NWCC and in the memo line put “hurricane relief.”