Moody Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andrea Machen, Nancy Johnson with BancorpSouth, Mayor Joe Lee and Kathy Bowman of Metro Bank took time out from their serving duties to smile for the cameras at the third Annual Toys for Kids Luncheon at Moody City Hall.

Encouraging attendees to dig deep into their pockets, Joe Lee, the mayor of Moody, said, “It’s all about the kids.”

Making sure holiday cheer filled the room area celebrity waiters such as Moody Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) Executive Director Andrea Machen, Moody High School Principal Cheryl Kuyk and Nancy Johnson with BancorpSouth, to name a few, served guests at their tables lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A, Red Diamond and Bowling’s BBQ.

Randy Smith and his daughter Tiffany Bittner emceed the event while Lyman Lovejoy, District Judge Alan Furr and Lisa Berry took on the role of entertaining the crowd.

Calling all teachers, lawyers, law enforcement officers and bankers to carol with the crowd, some took the easy way out by paying not to sing. Those performing were the teachers who sang “Here Comes Santa Claus” while the attorneys paid $200 to Toys for Kids in order not to sing.

Items such as handmade gifts from Earthborn Pottery in Leeds and an air compressor were auctioned off along with home made cakes by Odenville’s City Inspector Greg Brasher.

An Auburn cake made by Connie Nobles, wife of Moody Fire Chief Joe Nobles, went for $200 while the Alabama cake she made sold for $100.

Receiving gift certificates for their efforts, Cheryl Kuyk and Pastor Brad Moseley of Moody First Baptist Church were voted Most Enthusiastic Female and Male Servers by their peers. Local realtor Larry Golden took home the Waiters Apron for his work at the luncheon.

Auctioning items, sharing laughs and caroling 180 community members attended the Toys for Kids luncheon, which raised $10,718 through tips and auctioned items.

“Every year it gets bigger and bigger and more children sign up every year. The first year we raised over $2,000, in our second year around $5,500 and this year—is a big wow,” said Moody City Clerk Patsy Beard. “It was amazing.”

Helping 67 children and 35 families enjoy a Merry Christmas, Beard added, “It went off beautifully. All I can say is Moody is blessed.”