FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Hundreds of families came to Glenbrook Square Mall Saturday for the Santa Joe project’s giveaway. Last month, Toys for Tots announced it would not be operating in Allen County. Angela Zent, founder of the Sarah Zent Foundation, and Grayce Holloway, owner of Icing for Izaac, said once they heard the news, they used their platform and helped the Santa Joe Project by posting on Facebook, asking for presents to fill the ‘gift gap’. "I think it really was our mom hearts. I could not fathom being a parent and not being able to get Christmas for my children," Zent said. "...there was a time in my life as a teen mom, you know, living in my car that I was not able to provide Christmas for my first daughter. So, to now be in a position with a platform from the business that I built, to really have some movement in the community, I know that I needed to use that for good, and I couldn't think of a better reason," said Holloway. Community members and dozens of local businesses swarmed to help the cause, in just under five weeks, organizers were able to collect over 9,000 toys. "I am the kind of girl that loves the challenge. So it was, just keep moving forward. Just keep swimming. Is what we've been saying this whole time," Holloway said. With over 140 drop off site throughout the community and over $50,000 worth of toys, they credit everything to the community who rallied behind them. Zent said Santa Joe, also known as Joe Runyon, had been doing the initiative for 12 years, until retiring the project a few years back. This past month, he had been “called out of retirement” to help ensure the 790 families registered with the Santa Joe Project have presents to put under their tree.