All for $38.65

Pictured above: 1. Ben Saunders and Michael Farr take the friction toys for a test drive.
2. Toys we got for only $38.65.

We hit the closeouts at several Dollar General Stores and were able to get some good toys for a real deal. For example, 14 giggle baby dolls for 60¢ each, 30 stuffed animals ranging in price from 10 to 30¢, 12 John Deere tractors, etc. for 20¢ each and 16 friction four-wheelers for 30¢ each plus a lot more like fairy ballet dancers, High School Muscial dolls, workbenches for $1.80 and more. Another blessing indeed!

Planning for 2009...

Shop ‘til you drop! is the theme for the first month after Christmas. Watching for bargains on every corner of the Metroplex from McKinney to Burleson, Action Group volunteers are spending remaining funds and much of their own on toys for 2009 Christmas. Bargains have included a set of two High School Musical dolls for $5, radio controlled cars (amazing little annoying things) for $5, farm sets $6.50, race sets $6.50 and much more. We bought lots of supplies for what we call girl kits - for girls of all ages (makeup, hair stuff and kindred items) and plan to make art kits for 2009. Supplies will be purchased at back-to-school sales and donated from those who bring back stuff from conventions, etc. such as markers, note pads, etc. We are looking forward to an even better year in 2009. Happy holidays!

Report for 2008

That Community Driven Spirit which moves Forest Hill was never more evident than it was this holiday season. This year there were 222 children who received toys, gifts and other items during the Christmas holidays thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations in the community.
In addition, groceries which were collected during Super 1 Foods’ “Spirit of Christmas Food Drive” and by students at local elementary schools, were distributed to those families in need of food and to a lot of senior citizens and disabled in the community. Super 1 Foods also donated hens to be given to the needy families. The South Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce collected toys for the Forest Hill Action Group at their holiday luncheon. Close to 90 families were assisted.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collected new gloves, hats, scarves, socks, toothpaste, toilet tissue and other items to be distributed by the Action Group. The LDS Church also provided a sorting station and distribution point.
During the Thanksgiving Holiday, many families, especially senior citizens, were assisted with either groceries or gift cards made possible by a generous donation from the Forest Hill Lions Club, the House of Prayer and the Forest Hill United Methodist Church.
A toy drive, which was held at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and many city employees pitched in to help sort canned goods and toys and to do whatever was needed.
During lunch on Thursday, December 18, the Forest Hill Lions Club was honored for being a major contributor.
Action Group coordinators expressed appreciation on behalf of the needy in Forest Hill for all the help which was given, especially the donations of money and toys. “We really want to thank our volunteers. We could not complete all this work without them,” stated Action Group Coordinator Connie Hoffman. They also expressed deep appreciation for the City of Forest Hill which provides pickup points for applications and drop-off points for donations along with publicity for the program.
The Forest Hill Action Group is a not-for-profit volunteer group which assists the needy, especially during the holidays, and has operated in the City of Forest Hill for over 28 years.

2007 in Review

Action Group Schedule

It is time! Time to move into the 21st century and also time to get moving for the 2008 holiday season.

Action Group schedule:
December 6 Toy Drive at City Tree Lighting.
December 13 Arlington 2nd Ward Christmas Party, 6 p.m. Donations to Action Group
December 17 Move toys from Shelby Store Room to Church
December 18 Work with Super 1 Foods to gather groceries from schools, store, etc.
Several volunteers working during day and evening on families.
December 19 1 p.m. volunteers converge to complete all groceries and gifts.
December 20 Needy family pickup from 9 to noon. Move leftovers back to store room.
Deliver to handicapped.

About Us

The Forest Hill Action Group was founded in 1980 by Clora Maserang as she went door-to-door trying to sell Avon. She found people who needed help, not those who had money to buy much of anything. The group is now headed by Clora's children, Shirley Fowkes, Connie Hoffman and Gary Maserang. The group started small but has grown to helping as many as 100 families with food and gifts during the Christmas holiday. It is a partnership between area churches, schools, organizations, the City of Forest Hill and local stores. Operated solely by volunteers, the group watches for "deals" year round in order to meet the needs of those they serve. Recipients are interviewed and entered into a database for tracking.