At one point, they formed a small brigade from the door to the waiting tables, passing along sacks of toys and clothing. Liebert Corporation associates Monday played Santa Claus to the Ironton City Mission. The mission will used the donated toys, clothing and food to help needy families have a merry Christmas.

"It's a blessing," the Rev. Jim Cremeans, director of the mission, said as he surveyed the donations. "This is going to make a lots of kids happy come Christmas morning. A lot of these kids wouldn't have a happy Christmas without people at Liebert helping the mission to help them."

Liebert associate Kathy Caudill said the employees began in September with a round of fund raisers such as rummage sales, a spaghetti dinner and raffles. The end result was 254 toys, 66 coats, 152 pairs of gloves and scarves and 1,146 food items.

"This is something we do every year," Liebert Human Resources Director Marty Scott said. "We try to get as many associates as possible involved. Especially around Christmas, we all feel very fortunate and we do want to give something to the community. It's a great feeling to be able to help someone."