Published: November 27, 2009 11:19 am      

In Dad's honor

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

With the holiday season approaching, Judy Hicks found a way to both honor the memory of her late father, Ellis Wells, while doing something special for local children.

On Saturday, the Hicks family, which runs the Peach Corner Farmer’s Market, invited more than 200 people to a dinner at the market. They provided the meal but asked each guest to bring a new child’s toy.

“My father passed away in May of this year, so I thought in honor of him we would ask everyone to bring a toy to donate to Keavy school,” Hicks said. “He was always an advocate for the youth of the community. One year we had the children of the Appalachian Children’s Home come down. We did a Santa Claus event and took them to the movies, so I wanted to continue some of the work that he had done.”

Judy attended Keavy Elementary as a child, and her father lived within view of the Laurel County school, “and I personally know the need there,” she said.

Hicks and her family and friends — including a special thanks to Kim Gray — provided a lavish meal that included six turkeys, four hams, two whole ribeyes and an array of Southern-style dishes.

Some guests brought instruments, and there was live music and singing during the dinner.

“With the food that was remaining, we called the police department and had them come up and have all that,” Hicks said. “Tuesday, I cooked for the city works department.”

Judy plans to make this an annual event, with toys going to a different area school each year. She said she plans to open it up to the public next year, though she added with a laugh, “I don’t know how much more I can cook.”

Guests collected two bin boxes (used to haul pumpkins) filled with toys that will be distributed through Keavy Elementary’s Family Resource Center. Judy estimated their value at more than $3,500.

Judy, her husband Darrell, and their son Mackenzie gave thanks to everyone who came out and supported the event.

“We always want to try different things to support the community and be appreciative to the people who have touched our lives,” she said. “I know my father would have really been thrilled.”