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It is not uncommon for the makeshift doctor's office waiting room at the Church of the Brethren in Frederick to fill up on a Monday, as more than 100 people turn out twice a month for free clinical services offered by Mission of Mercy, a nonprofit healthcare organization.

But on the Monday before Christmas, that number multiplied by three as families took to the church not only to ensure a healthy holiday, but one that would be just a little bit merrier as well.

The Frederick branches of BB&T have partnered with Mission of Mercy for eight years to use one of the two Monday clinics in December to provide gifts to needy Frederick County families who use the free clinical services. Families had the opportunity to shop from about 1,000 toys and games for their children.

"We figured that if they didn't have money for health or dental care, they probably didn't have money for toys for their children," said Gwen Hartman, branch manager of the BB&T Bank on Md. Route 40 in Frederick.

Mission of Mercy began the toy drive eight years ago by soliciting donations from churches, said Mary Perrelli, a nurse with Mission of Mercy who also helps coordinate the effort. BB&T took it to a new level, she said.

"It started just as push toys, but it was something to give [the children] for Christmas," Perrelli said. "Now, we've graduated to this. It's just massive."

Hartman, who headed up the effort this year, said all 12 BB&T branches in Frederick County hung tags from garland asking for age- and gender-specific toys. Staff and customers would pull off a tag, buy that toy, and return it to the branch unwrapped.

They collected more than 1,000 toys and games — everything from the latest in bicycles, dolls, and digital cameras — making this year the largest drive yet, she said.

"Part of BB&T's mission is to make our community a better place," she said. "This is the best way to live out that mission. Every year I have a mother with tears rolling down her face telling me that her child wouldn't have a toy, and I'm usually crying with her."

Melissa Morris of Frederick wasn't crying as she waited for her named to be called for health services and a toy, but the appreciation poured from her voice as she described how the recession and her part-time job wouldn't afford her 9-year-old son the luxury of toys this Christmas.

What he received from the Monday toy giveaway would be it. "With the recession, it's making everything harder," Morris said. "He'll have the necessities, it's just the toys part that's the rough part. But, he deserves something."

When asked what he was hoping to get from the array of toys awaiting him, Morris' son, Nii-ayitey Brown, responded excitedly: "Anything."

Email Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.