Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
By Bill Van Tassel
DIXFIELD — The employees at Dixfield Discount Fuel are in the middle of their ninth annual campaign to collect toys and other gifts for the needy children in the River Valley towns. This year’s effort has already collected almost five dozen donations, having begun the drive on Oct. 20.
An initial boost to jump start the campaign happened during the River Valley Pumpkin Festival in downtown Rumford, promoted by the community-action group called Envision Rumford.
Drop-off boxes have been placed at the DDF offices on Route 2 as you head out of Rumford, in Rumford itself at the American Legion, the Fire Department, the Town Office and Aubuchon Hardware. Other drop-off points are the Mexico Fire Department and P”Zazz on Weld Street in Dixfield. Cash donations are also accepted and generally used to purchase winter clothing. Hand-crafted mittens are also a favorite.
In past drives, Dixfield Discount Fuel has delivered the toys and clothing to several different schools in the Mexico and Rumford communities as well as to a local church in Mexico. All the items collected are geared for needy children ages five through 12.
Past drives have collected enough items to fill up three truckloads with hundreds of much-welcomed Christmas gifts. Working out of the DDF office in Rumford, Katie Houghton and Missy McDonald have a decorated tree by the entrance where they collect and display some of the toys. Houghton was raised in the area, and said this is her favorite project every year.
The company also gives a $10 credit on a fuel bill when customers donate a new, unwrapped gift toward the toy drive. The drive leaders will make a decision in early December, after talking with school administrators, which schools may currently have a large need. Deliveries will be made before schools close for the holidays.
PHOTO: Missy McDonald, left, and Katie Houghton of Dixfield Discount Fuel stand by the early arrivals of Christmas gifts at the company’s office in Rumford. Houghton manages the effort, in her ninth year, with the help of McDonald and other DDF employees, who collect and deliver the items to children in the River Valley. (Bill Van Tassel photo)
