ROCKWELL — The N.C. National Guard’s Family Readiness Program presented Powles Staton Funeral Home with an award Tuesday in recognition of the funeral home’s Operation Toy Soldier program.

The Rockwell funeral home collected 6,500 new toys for the Family Readiness Program. The toys were distributed to nearly 400 National Guard families in North Carolina.

Visiting the funeral home Tuesday were Diane Coffill, state family program director for the Guard’s program, along with David Nobles, Cherri Mason and Chassidy Hepler.

Russ Roakes led Operation Toy Soldier for the funeral home, along with Matt and Will Staton. Rowan County Register of Deeds John Brindle, Sheriff Kevin Auten and Lt. Mike Brady of the Sheriff’s Office also played large roles in collecting toys for the Guard families this past Christmas.

Brindle, Auten and Brady were on hand Tuesday to meet with the Guard representatives.

Powles Staton Funeral Home collects toys year round. It has a “Christmas in July” toy drive, along with a Christmas season toy drive in December.