Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Santa’s Closet received between $15,000 and $18,000 in donated toy items. These gifts will be distributed between nearly 500 Brown County children in need.

NEW ULM — Volunteers with New Ulm Sertoma Club made like Santa’s elves Friday, organizing the toys donated to Satana’s Closet.

Every year the program assists around nearly 200 families and 500 children in the Brown County area.

The program is run by New Ulm Sertoma Club in conjunction with Brown County Family Services. Each year Family Services creates a list of families in need and Sertoma helps collect donations which include kid’s toys, books, hats, and gloves. The toys received are gifted from individuals and organizations throughout Brown County. Funds received through monetary donations are used to purchase new toys.

Wayne Plagge estimated this year Santa’s Closet received between $15,000 and $18,000 in children toys. Half of these donations came from area organizations.

The area schools, banks and businesses were among the top donors to the cause.

Volunteer Lanaye Kral said on Saturday, the parents of the children in need will come to the National Guard Armory and select a toy item for their child from the items donated.

Donations will be accepted throughout December and used for the following year. Monetary donations may be sent to Sertoma Club, PO Box 692, New Ulm, MN 56073.