Friendly neighbor donates Christmas toys to Heartland elementary students for 14th grade

MOUNDS, Ill. (KFVS) – A friendly neighbor across the street from Mounds Elementary School is once again spreading Christmas cheer among students.

Known to everyone as Mr. Lawrence, the friendly neighbor donated dozens of toys for the 14th grade.

“Honestly, we are lucky to have Mr. Lawrence as a neighbor,” said Cindy Rice, Mounds Head Start Assistant Site Supervisor/Parent Coordinator. “Every year, for probably at least 14 years, Mr. Lawrence has taken the initiative to reach out to community members and area businesses to ask them to donate the toys that we distribute to our children in Mounds Headstart. »

In total, Lawrence Gleghorn donated around 200 toys.

Mounds, IL. Head Start students are all smiles after receiving Christmas toys from their friendly neighbor, Mr. Lawrence.(Source: KFVS/Makenzie Williams)

He explained that the idea of giving students toys started while talking with his friends.

This idea took off.

“I think there were about 5 or 6 guys, my neighbors, that we would go out with and cook and barbecue together,” Glenhorn said. “I said, ‘Dude, let’s bring some toys to school.’ Everyone participated and donated between $20 and $25 each. So the first year everyone got a toy and this year they all got 3 and they were bigger toys.

Glenhorn said he didn’t know it would become a local tradition over the years.

According to the school staff, the children love ‘Mr. Lawrence’ and look forward to everything he does for the school.

Mr. Lawrence has a holiday message for everyone: “I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. »