After a Grinch threatened to spoil Christmas for hundreds of local children in need, a community hero gave it back.

Pittsburgh Steeler Willie Parker, a former Clinton Dark Horse standout, got in touch with Sampson Center director Tim Boykin and donated thousands of dollars in toys and bikes, making sure that hundreds of local children helped through the local Toys for Tots program would have a present this Christmas.

“He read your article and was touched by it,” said Boykin, referring to a recent Independent article that had Boykin pouring his heart out after a thief broke into the center just after Halloween and took a flatscreen television, two computers, a printer, a digital camera and more importantly, the Christmas presents that Boykin had been collecting for needy kids this year.

The timing of the robbery couldn’t have been worse for the Toys for Tots program. With just under a month left for collection and a major sponsor dropping out this year, Boykin feared the over 200 children in need would go empty handed this year. That is until he got the call from Parker.

“I wanted to tell you this now because Willie was not seeking the publicity,” said a touched Boykin. “But this is a really big deal. What this guy has done, and the way he has done it, was just classy and gracious. We went from literally wondering about where we were going to get the toys from one minute to getting a phone call from him telling me that he was going to take care of everything.,” Boykin stressed.

“It just shows how much he is still involved in this community, and how much he cares about what is going on here.”

Boykin said after reading the robbery article, Parker made arrangements to purchase the thousands of dollars worth of presents.

“There are over 100 brand new bikes, X-Boxes, Nintendo DS games, toys, you name it, he got it.” he said. “He went out and did something like this for these kids to have a great Christmas, man, it is something. Basically, he took the whole thing on his shoulders. We had some other donations come in, but we only had a limited amount of time and he really came through. I would say, he donated about 90 percent of the toys we have here; it was just incredible.”

In addition to Parker’s heartwarming gift, other donations came in to the center, notably a major donation from Eastpointe Human Services employees and from people in the Clinton community.

Tammy Thigpen, director of Human Services for Eastpointe, said that she was thrilled to have her employees chip in.

“In the difficult economic times that we all find ourselves facing, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the employees of Eastpointe through their donations to the Toys for Tots program,” she said. “It is much easier to give when times are good, but when times are tough and you still open your heart by giving, I believe the true spirit of Christmas is expressed.”

Boykin said the program is more than just about a child getting a present. “People know that it is more than just a toy giveaway here,” he said. “Getting a present from this program may be the only thing a kid gets this year for Christmas. When they came in here and stole the toys, it just showed me that there are some people that are not about the community here; it took me back a bit.”

But his faith was restored by the response.

“Eastpointe, the community, the volunteers and, of course, Willie,” Boykin said. “I think that it is great that everyone came together to do this. My hat goes off to all of them. That is what community is about, when something like this happens, the community comes together to help out each other. It is a great feeling. I mean, I had a young girl and her parents come by, and she had some toys that she didn’t use anymore, and she felt it in her heart to come by and give those toys to some kids who won’t have any this year. Those kinds of things touch you and stay with you.”

Shelton McCallop, the former Sampson Center director, began the Toys for Tots program back in 1976 with a couple of toys and two bikes.

McCallop smiled as he gazed across the gym full of toys and bicycles and the line of smiling children waiting to pick theirs out.“It makes me feel really good to see this still going on,” he said. “Tim is following right along with it, and I am proud to see it like this. I remember when he was here getting his toys; he has always told me that he wanted to remain involved with the program, and to see him here, it is really special.”

“This is personal to me, because I was one of these kids,” Boykin said later “I look forward to doing this every year. To me this is one of the most important parts of my job, because I know what it means to these kids. To have someone come in here and try to take it away from them, it just got to me on another level.”

McCallop agreed. “Oh, I felt really bad when I heard about the guy coming in and stealing the presents,” he said. “We did some things with our Pinochle group and the American Legion to try and help, but when I heard that was hard. I would love to talk to the person who did it and just ask him why? Why do you want to take from these kids?”

But that incident could not take away from the joy that was spread inside the center Saturday.

“It is just a great thing to be here today,” said Jerry Herring, Clinton Recreation and Parks Department athletic director. “It is a lot of hard work and effort and so rewarding to be part of. Tim laid out all of the groundwork, and it has been a wonderful experience.”

Volunteers from the Clinton Recreation Department were also passing out free meals for the homeless and those in need at the Bellamy Center, hosted by Mr. Window Soup Kitchen led by pastor Onyx Martin, making sure that the act of giving took on all forms Saturday.

When 6-year-old Makay Best picked out her new bicycle, the excitement in her face spoke volumes, and the thrill of opening a new Nintendo DS-I game system had 8-year-old Jeffrey Hernandez smiling from ear-to-ear.

“It is really cool,” Hernandez said looking down at the box. “I just can’t believe it.”

“It makes me feel like I am child again,” said volunteer Mary Boykin. “I really enjoy this. It has been great.”

Volunteer Kevin Register agreed. “I feel really good to be here today; it is a lot of fun for me to pass out these presents and see the smiles and the reactions on those faces.”

“It is great that they would do this for the kids,” said parent Toriano Best. “I can’t really tell you how much it means to me. There are no words.”

“The reward is seeing those faces,” said Boykin. “We make this a good situation for them. Everyone here that is volunteering is giving, and we want to make them all part of this program. I have guys who were working last night to get bikes ... no one (getting the bikes) will be thinking about those people or the people who took the time to wrap all of these presents, but they did it, and I just want them to know how much I appreciate it.”

In all, the volunteers served over 250 children, and it was all from the heart, those in attendance said.

“This season is about Jesus Christ, and I know in my heart that is why I am here,” said Boykin. “Why wouldn’t you want to give when you know that He gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us?”

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.