Our annual toy and clothing drive that we started during the Christmas season of 2024.

So how did it come to be?

In early summer 2024, we took an old 2008 Ford E250 cargo van in on trade. With over 200,000 miles on the odometer, its best days were behind it. We parked it on the back row of the lot (you know, where the rough ones go) and for weeks, nobody even looked at it.

Then it hit us: What if we keep the van and fill it with toys and clothes for local kids and families who could use a little extra joy this Christmas?

But… This van… was… UGLY

“Let’s let folks who donate to the van vandalize it!” one of our staff members said. “Like, in a good way! Decorate it with spray paint! ”

That’s when JAM the VAN was born.

We partnered with the Salvation Army and their Angel Tree Program, and the response from our community was incredible. During the first year together we collected:

465

Wearable Items

431

Toys

6

Bicycles

Created 28 additional Angels for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program.

Absolutely unbelievable turnout from our community!

A local mother and son stop by to make a generous donation to JAM the VAN! and to spray paint the van.

A grandfather and his granddaughter make a generous donation to JAM the VAN! as she spray paints a strawberry on the van.

Local families like as the Cabrerra family have been so kind to donate several toys and clothing items, and have had fun spray painting the van!

Our very own Tish and Hannah helping load donations from the community into the van.

JAM the VAN! was featured in the Buckhannon Christmas Parade in 2024. Our staff threw out candy and greeted many generous folks who donated.

On the final day of our 2024 season, we had a special guest show up and greet local children: SANTA CLAUS CAME TO TOWN!

Our very own Adam and Doug were in charge of transportation of the van's items to the Salvation Army distribution center for their Angel Tree Program

Shea is pictured with JAM the VAN! on the last day of 2024, and it truly was JAMMED!

JAM the VAN! is back for the 2025 Christmas season! This year, rather than spraypaint (which tends to be messy and hard to use for younger folks), we have bright colorful markers. Folks can leave their mark, doodle, or create a masterpiece right on the van! We painted the van white so folks have a blank canvas to fill up with color and kindness. We kick off YEAR TWO of JAM the VAN! on Monday, October 20th and will be accepting donations through noon on Saturday, December 6th (Santa will be making a special appearance that day!).

Items that we are accepting this year are:

Children’s clothing - must be new
Children’s toys - must be new
Winter Gear - hats, toboggans, scarves, coats, boots - must be new
Diapers - do we need to say it? Must be new!

Let’s all pitch in to help make Christmas a little brighter for local children and families who could use an extra reason to smile this Christmas season.