COAL GROVE - How do you measure the impact a business has on a community?

Coal Grove resident Sue Triplett believes one way is to just count the smiles.

As president of the Coal Grove Betterment Club, Triplett knows a thing or two about making a difference in the community. So when she says the Coal Grove Wendy's "deserves a big thank you," she means it.

The business, which opened in May 2003, continued its Christmas spirit for the second year by providing toys for all 20 children at the Coal Grove Head Start. The Ironton store donated toys to the Secret Santa program for the third year.

The Betterment club will deliver the toys in Coal Grove.

"This is really great. Some of these kids might not get too much so this will help them have a Christmas," Triplett said. "Last year, the kids were just tickled."

Connie Boldman, marketing director for JAGS Inc., the Portsmouth-based company that owns 18 Wendy's restaurants including businesses in Ironton, Jackson, Portsmouth and Greenup, Ashland, and Louisa, Ky., said that they try to continue the tradition set by Wendy's International.

"On a local level, we just find it important and rewarding to be involved in the local community," she said. "We have 18 stores and we try to get involved in all the communities, especially the schools."

For Triplett, delivering the toys is an honor - and a treat.

"It is wonderful. It is like me having Christmas," she said. "That is what Christmas is for - the kids."