Coca-Cola helps kick off Toy Convoy in Waynesboro

The Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Waynesboro changed its focus this weekend from soda to toys.

The company spent Saturday and Sunday outside of the Walmart in Waynesboro collecting for this year's Toy Convoy.

"Christmas is my holiday. I like the thought of being able to help the kids to be able to have gifts and everything on Christmas," Richard Trippeer, the distribution supervisor for the company, said.

Trippeer has volunteered a weekend collecting toys for each of the past 12 years. In previous years, Coca-Cola has collected a little more than 1,000 toys a year according to the distribution supervisor. Although Saturday's rain may have hurt the total a bit, Trippeer said he is thankful for every toy donated.

"I think it's still important that the kids believe in the miracle of Christmas and to be a part of it," Trippeer said. "I don't want kids to wake up disappointed on Christmas day, so any time I can help out, I try to do that."

Trippeer said he expected a lot of toys on Sunday as people headed to Walmart to shop after church.