DECATUR - Sylvia Walker spent a long time sorting through all the donated toys that were stacked knee-deep in her living room.

Walker with the help of her sister, Mildred Hines, and two nieces managed to get all the toys wrapped and ready to give to go to families in need this holiday.

It was all part of the 5th annual Walker Limousine and Vinnie Barbee toy drive.

Sherri Rice, manager of Huck's Convenience Food Store off Illinois 48, said the store usually sold paper Christmas trees for $1 to help a family at Christmas.

But when she heard about what Barbee and the Walkers were doing with their toy drive, she wanted the store to help, so they helped by sponsoring a family.

"There is so much need in Decatur," Rice said and got the names of two families from Barbee to take shopping for Christmas.

Brandy Travelstead and her six children were one of the families chosen.

"Gas alone was so high before it went down and my power and electric bill has been higher than my rent. So we are so grateful for them to do this and my kids really enjoyed it," said Travelstead, 30, after Rice took them shopping.

Rice said her two sons, ages 11 and 6, loved picking out Star Wars games, a few books and a pair of slippers.

Her two daughters, ages 9 and 7, enjoyed getting stuffed puppy dog purses, lip gloss and other play make-up. The 3-year-old wanted everything related to being a princess, she said. She made sure to get a few learning toys for her 1-year-old daughter.

Barbee also provided the family with $70 worth of certificates to eat at his restaurant.

However, Barbee wasn't through yet playing Santa. He also delivered several Wii game systems to nursing homes around town. The games help the seniors with their therapy and motor skills.

"I think there are more people this year because of the economic conditions," Sylvia Walker said.

She talked about how the toy drive started as something small that her husband, Anthony Walker, wanted to do for the community and Barbee later partnered with him. They went from providing toys and other gifts for 20 families in 2003 to helping more than 50 families this year.

Those who donated toys or gave money toward the purchase of toys include Wal-mart, JL Hubbard Insurance & Bonds, Victory Pharmacy, Huck's, Walker's Limousine, Carla Brinkoetter, Roni and French Wilson, Black and Company, Moran & Goebal Funeral Home and State Bank of Niantic.

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