Kevin and David Holtzclaw organized the 10th annual Syl Syl Toy Drive in memory of their mother, Sylvia Holtzclaw. Taylor Ross (Miss Greater Greer Teen) and Lanie Hudson (Miss Greater Greer) gave their support.
Julie McCombs
Greer High School football players annually contribute toys and their time at the Clock restaurant, where the toys are collected.
Julie McCombs
The 1941 pumper fire truck that originally belonged to the Greer Fire Department has been restored. It's first mission was to take the contributed toys and bikes to a secure place. Driving is Gerald Davis and the passenger is Don Lester, a retired 36-year volunteer fireman.
I spent last Sunday watching adults and children stroll into the Clock restaurant by the dozens.
Virtually each hand carried an unwrapped toy, pushed a bicycle or pulled a wagon. The joy-filled restaurant is my favorite place to be one Sunday afternoon each November in honor of a lady that I never had a chance to meet.
Although Sylvia Holtzclaw was taken from this earth way to soon, her spirit comes alive each year at the Syl Syl Toy Drive (Nov. 11 this year). Her sons, Kevin and David, and many of her friends donate toys and their time each year to carry on her legacy.
David shared how his mother loved giving toys to the Cops for Tots and how she loved that Greer area families were the ones that received the gifts. Cops for Tots is Saturday, Dec. 14.
David, Kevin and their friends have held the toy drive annually. This is the 10th year. Each year that I attend, I grab a cup of the Clock’s famous sweet tea, sign my name in a keepsake book that the Holtzclaws have and listen to stories being told about this incredible daughter of Greer.
I enjoy watching my friends celebrate the life of such a giving person. After being inspired by them in years past, I started collecting toys at the football games last season to bring more awareness to the toy drive. The response was wonderful. My personal goal is to have the toy drive reach all the Greer area schools.
Even though I didn’t personally know Sylvia, I adore her mission of giving in the Greer community. This cause is a healing process for her friends and family that will continue to give back to Greer for years to come.
If you would like to donate to the Syl Syl toy drive, please email me.
Everyone loves to bring toys to celebrate the toy drive including our local queens, Lanie Hudson, Miss Greater Greer, and Taylor Ross, Miss Greater Greer Teen.
This year the toys were loaded into a 1941 fire pumper truck that has been restored. This was the first trip the fire truck has taken on an event since being restored.
Members of the Greer and Riverside high school football teams came out to support the drive.