SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND)- Three years ago, Dezirae Bohlen, her husband, and two kids decided to start a Christmas toy swap. They cleaned out their toy chests and set out toys they weren't using outside. Neighbors were encouraged to drop off toys or grab any that they wanted. Now the drive has evolved, with several tables and a tarp on an empty lot. The toy swap has become a place to grab gloves, hats, food, shoes, clothes, and books, in addition to the toys. 

"We grew up really poor when we were kids, so something like this would have really helped my parents out," said Bohlen. "My kids go to Fairview down the street at 87% of their students are low income or on the poverty line. The moms and dads drive past this spot every morning. "

The drive is located on the corner of 19th and Ridgely Streets on Springfield's Northeast side. Each day, Bohlen or other volunteers head out to the corner and organize donations that have been dropped off. They also restock from gifts they have purchased or picked up from local volunteers. 

"I've picked up toys from at least 30 people's house that want them out here and the community has been great with donating," said Nicole Horner, who helps out with the toy swap. "The toys come and go so fast. It will be full and within an hour or two the toys will be cleaned out."

While lots of people drop off toys when they are picking up, this is not something Bohlen requires. She wants anyone who needs help to come get the toys. She also gets donations from people in the community who want her to purchase toys to put out for community members to grab.

Every year the toy drive grows and Bohlen has ideas for even more expansions. Her next goal are to get more folding tables and a shed she can put on the property, so she can stock up on bigger gifts like bikes throughout the year. 

The idea of toy swaps has started to spread, with a woman in Jacksonville starting her own neighborhood swap. Bohlen hopes the idea starts to spread and says it makes a big impart on parents who stop by, 

"We had one woman crying when she came here," said Bohlen."She said last year she came often and it helps so much. She was able to have Christmas for her kids." 

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