GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The little voice was shrilling and piercing, but nobody minded. A girl sat in the backseat of her mother’s car clutching a new squeaky stuffed animal, rocking back and forth while screaming, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Two Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies looked at each other and nodded.

“That makes it all worth it,” one said.

“Yep,” said the other.

The 43rd annual event had more than enough toys, bicycles and smiles to go around. Volunteers sorted through a mountain of Barbie dolls, Monopoly games and other new toys to ensure anyone 14 and younger would have the merriest of holidays.

“Everybody got toys. We had enough for everybody that came through from start to finish,” said J.P. Hall IV, the organization’s president.

Enough for 1,300 children.

Hall’s grandfather started the Christmas giveaway to improve the quality of life for underprivileged children in Clay County. The group has also donated nearly $500,000 in college scholarships.

Cars waited in a long line that snaked through the fairgrounds parking lot. Hall said the first arrived shortly after 4 a.m. Everyone there was served before noon.

The James Boys of Orange Park and a group of volunteers in Green Cove Springs spent a year refurbishing bicycles for the event.

“We had 850 bikes this year, which is 100 more than we’ve done in the past,” Hall said. “And there weren’t any left. It was amazing.”

One woman was overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity. She chanted, “Merry Christmas! Thank you, God!” many times. Her smile was infectious.

“I will remember the continued support of our community and our community partners,” Hall said. “I’m just so grateful that we get to do this every year, to see new members of the community and those that have been here for their whole lives.

“We will continue to provide toys to every Clay County child that needs Christmas presents. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have Christmas toys under the tree on Christmas morning.”