A box of toys reported stolen from the Sampson Center the night before Halloween was discovered by Clinton police officers during a routine search of an abandoned house on Sampson Street earlier this week.

The toys, collected by Sampson Center director Tim Boykin for the department’s annual Toys for Tots drive, were returned to Boykin Monday.

Earlier this year, Boykin started collecting toys to pass out to needy children at Christmas. At the time of the robbery, he had a box and an half filled with games, dolls and action figures he planned to deliver as “surrogate Santa” this year.

He got some of the toys, but not all, back.

“We got the majority of them back,” said a pleased Boykin Wednesday afternoon. “We are excited about that.”

The box of toys was the only recovered in the abandoned house, located at 1010 Sampson St. A flatscreen television, two computers, a printer and a digital camera taken in the robbery are still missing.

A story that ran recently in The Sampson Independent brought some attention to the project, Boykin said.

“We had a lot of calls from people wanting to help us out,” he said. “There were just a few who brought us some toys, but I am hoping that we can continue to get those donations coming in.”

With less than a month left for collection and a major sponsor dropping out this year, Boykin said more toys are desperately needed.

Last year, the center distributed 47 bikes and an assortment of toys to over 200 children. Boykin said if more donations don’t come in soon, they won’t be able to accommodate half of the chlidren they did last year.

“We want to give the kids in need a good Christmas this year,” he said. “I am taking donations all the way up until Dec. 19.”

Those wishing to contribute can take an unwrapped present to the Sampson Center, 808 Barden St., Clinton, or the Clinton Recreation and Parks Department’s main offices at Royal Lane Park, during regular business hours. If it is wrapped, please signify whether the present is for a boy or girl and the age of the child it is for; Checks can be made out to Clinton Parks and Recreation and make sure it is in care of “Toys for Tots.”

For more information call 299-4900 ext. 3069.

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