And he credits their charitable ways to the continued success of the Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Superintendents Association-sponsored toy drive 16 years later.

“I think that in the groups themselves, who wants a kid to go without a toy for Christmas?” Merchant said. “Most of these guys are pretty big guys so, you know, they have soft hearts and want to make sure that the kids are well taken care of.”

But without Doug Peterson, Southern Tier Municipal & Supply Co. vice president, managing and maintaining the initiative for almost two decades, Merchant believed The Salvation Army wouldn’t be able to serve as many families.

“He’s the one who does all the rallying,” Merchant said. “We don’t do anything for this. Doug is making sure that he’s talking to all of the highway superintendents, making sure they’re going to come and making sure they’re well represented.”

Last year, the event saw more than 800 toys and $1,850 of monetary contributions collected. At a glance, Peterson and Dave Babcock, Highway Superintendents Association president, said the current haul, lined across the dining area floor Wednesday, appeared to be more than in 2018.

Peterson, founder of the campaign, used his connections as a member of the association and relationships with the highway superintendents to create the annual “Toys For Kids” donation event that has consistently delivered gifts to The Salvation Army shortly before the holidays.

“This is an important thing for the Association and Doug to make sure kids in our community have toys on Christmas morning,” Babcock said.

The event is held during the December meeting with the membership fee being waived in favor of a $10 gift. Babcock noted that most people, while not required, bring more than one toy.

“This is the one everyone waits for and it builds every year,” he added.

Peterson estimated there were about 100 to 120 members present. Last year, saw 99 individuals participate.

“It’s always amazing for us when we walk in and see this,” said Maj. Kim Merchant of The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is set to serve 543 families with 893 children ahead of Christmas. Families are able to sign up through The Salvation Army with a wishlist of three items for their child. Through donations and toy collections, the local organization tries to meet each item on the Christmas list or at least an age-appropriate gift.

“This is a great help every year and without their support I don’t know if we would have enough for all of them because it seems that everything comes down to the wire,” John Merchant said.

Peterson said the first year saw less than 100 toy donations that covered up the hearth inside the Rod & Gun Club. He credits the growth of the event and shear amount of donations to the drive of local highway departments and vendors, too.

“Last night, I’m saying to myself, ‘I don’t know how we can do this,’ but it’s the guys that reach out,” Peterson said of the efforts by local highway employees and vendors.