Santa Claus, a chorus from Warfield Elementary School, and dozens of volunteers enjoyed the annual grand opening of the White Doves warehouse at the Martin County Fairgrounds on Dec. 1.

 The Warfield Elementary singers were led – as always -- by music teacher Elliott Harris, the teacher of the year at Warfield Elementary in Indiantown. Their chirpy voices welcomed Santa Claus (aka Boy Deyo, the finance director of Hibiscus Children’s Center) as he arrived on a Martin County fire engine.

The White Doves Holiday Project is organized by the United Way Volunteer & Community Resource Center. In its 17^th year, the project will help more than 3,000 children in Martin County with toys and a holiday meal.

The grand opening event is designed to spotlight the project and celebrate this massive community effort.

One of the highlights came when White Doves co-chairs Lisa and Tom Haley showed off the trophy for the inaugural Holiday Spirit Challenge among Martin County high school students. The trophy will be presented on Dec. 13 to the high school that collects the most toys for White Doves.

Four members of the Martin County High School Class of 2006 were in attendance and got their school’s drive off to a tremendous start. They brought two bicycles and enough toys to fill two shopping carts.

“We are thrilled to have a new generation of volunteers represented here tonight,” Mrs. Haley said.

The grand opening also signifies that the White Doves warehouse – Buildings B and C at the Martin County Fairgrounds – is open for donations. Donations of food, toys and money are welcome from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 5 through Dec. 19.

New, unwrapped toys may also be dropped off at sanctioned Toys for Tots locations.

Monetary donations for the purchase of turkeys and hams can be sent to VCRC, P.O. Box 362, Stuart, FL 34995.

More information is available at www.martinvolunteers.org/whitedoves or by calling (772) 220-4472.