by John Stevens
December 15, 2010 9:54 AM
A toy drive in Purcell, Okla., could possibly have come to an odiferous end after a skunk got into a donation storage facility, creating putrid puzzles, malodorous model trains, and stinky stuffed animals.
The Grinchy varmint could have caused about 800 children to be without Christmas toys. The toy drive, organized by McClain County charity called “Operation Christmas” received many donations this year from generous people in surrounding areas. The drive has been around for years and also provides gift baskets and food for about 200 families in McClain County.
When the skunk chose the toy storage unit to spray its noxious scent, the charity had to scramble and brainstorm as to how to air out the toys.
They received a lot of advice from well-meaning locals and professionals. One advised using white vinegar and baking soda to wipe down the toys and another suggested putting the gifts in a secure room and turning on an ionizer for at least 24 hours. A veterinarian said some items may be salvagable by a deskunking formula that scientists came up with years ago. The concoction oxidizes the sulfur compounds from the skunk spray. It involves mixing hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. Then the process calls for wiping of affected items and waiting five to 10 minutes.
Volunteers were utterly surprised by the sneak attack and are hopeful that items can be saved.
“When I walked in the fire department, guys came in and said „You better come and look at this.‟ And I walked out the door and you were knocked down by the smell of the skunk,” said Peggy Christian, an Operation Christmas volunteer in Oklahoma’s Own. “We found a few pieces that we’ve been able to salvage, but a lot of it we don’t think we have a chance for.”
The gifts were scheduled to be delivered this Friday and volunteers hope to stick to that schedule. For the rest of the week, Christian and others are hoping the Oklahoma wind will do the trick. They’re also hoping more donations - the good smelling kind – will be donated by Friday.
“I’ve already had a lot of phone calls. People here locally that have called and said „What can we do to help?” Christian said.
One would hope at a time like this when hundreds of Christmas presents for needy children are in jeopardy that Mother Nature and the kind hearts of others will work together to reverse the damage that only a little stinky spray from a smelly creature of the night. Usually skunks will spray when they see or perceive a threat. Perhaps the curious creature that crawled into the storage unit filled with toys became startled by a jack-in-the-box. One will never know, but they do now know that a small creature can reap large havoc if it so desires.
Source Used:
“Christmas Stinks After Skunk Sprays Toy Donations For Needy Families.” Oklahoma’s Own. Dec. 14, 2010.