After Santa Claus announced the winners of Books & Beyond’s toy giveaway, Dawn Grey (left) and Barbara MacArthur presented a check for $250 to local coordinator Laura Kincaid (right) as a donation for the Plumas County Sheriff’s Employees Association’s annual toy drive. Photo by Samantha P. Hawthorne

Samantha P. Hawthorne

  During its fifth annual Santa Book Signing held Friday, Dec. 14, Books & Beyond raised $250 for the Plumas County Sheriff’s Employees Association’s annual toy drive.

  Two beautifully crafted toys were up for grabs to help raise the money: Rocket the Rocking Horse and the bookstore’s longtime resident, the Junie B. Jones doll.

  Rocket the Rocking Horse was handcrafted and donated by an anonymous patron of the artists of the Backroom Gallery. Rather then donate Rocket to only one fortunate child, the gallery decided to spread the wealth by selling tickets for the horse, the proceeds of which would go to providing toys for many needy children.

  Junie B. Jones has made the bookstore her home since it first opened, and according to co-owner Susan Bryner, she has been “making kids happy for many years, especially those little girls who love the Junie B. books.” Both owners, Bryner and Dawn Gray, decided it was time to part with Junie, so they included her in the giveaway.

  Before auctioning off the toys, Santa Claus, the bookstore’s special guest, spent some time signing books and posing for pictures.

  After reading the traditional Christmas story, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” Santa was asked to draw the giveaway winners.

  The first toy to be won was the lovely Junie B. doll, along with a set of Junie B. books; Arlie Holland, who was not present to accept the doll, was announced as the winner. Bryner spoke to her later in the evening and relayed how excited she was. She said the doll and book set is a present for her granddaughter, Cayden.

  Next up was the drawing for the highly desired rocking horse. After purchasing several dozen tickets at the last minute, Matt and Marie Maumoynier were surprised to hear their names announced as the winner. Their sons Quentin and Vincent were thrilled, and jumped right on the horse after learning they would be taking it home.