For the third year in a row, Michael Dalton is using his skills as an upholstery cleaner to make Christmas much brighter for some children who may not be getting any presents this year.

The owner of the Farmington-based Dalton Cleaning and Restoration is trying to gather as many stuffed animals as he can, clean and wash them, replace some stuffing when needed and give them to local charities in St. Francois County for use as Christmas presents.

“I wanted to do something to give back to the community,” Dalton said. “I have been very fortunate the last few years and it feels really good to others.”

If the amount of stuffed animals he has received during the last two stuffed animals drives is any indication, there are many other people who are willing to help.

“The first year, we cleaned 650 animals and last year we had 1,082 stuffed animals,” Dalton said. “I’m hoping for more this year. Everyone has a stuffed animal that may be in a closet or somewhere that they no longer need.”

Once Dalton receives a stuffed animal, he uses the tools of his trade to clean them and make them look brand new for its new owner, he think the newer stuffed animals, the happier owner will be.

“It’s very similar to upholstery cleaning,” Dalton said. “We use are environmentally friendly cleaning products to pre-spray the toys, rinse them and then dry vac the toys.

Dalton is not alone in his endeavor to bring a little joy to child on Christmas morning. With his daughter and several other volunteers, they spend around 20 hours to make sure the animals are in pristine shape before they are given to some child.

“Last year, my daughter was a member of the JRROTC program at Farmington,” Dalton said. “She got me all the volunteers we needed. This year she said she can get enough volunteers again.”

Just like Santa, Dalton is on a deadline. In order for him to finish restoring all of the animals before Christmas, the hometown Kris Kringle needs to receive all of his donated stuffed toys by the end of November.

Donations of stuffed animals can be made at Alarm Security at 720 W.