Ep 8. Opie's Charity

Opie's Charity is the eighth episode of the first season of The Andy Griffith Show. Directed by Alex Singer and written by Jack Elinson, the episode originally aired on November 11, 1960, on CBS.

In this episode, Opie (Ron Howard) is inspired by a magazine article to donate his old toys to underprivileged children. Andy (Andy Griffith) is proud of his son's charitable instinct and helps him collect even more toys by making announcements on the radio and in the local newspaper. However, things get complicated when some of the donors' motives turn out to be less than altruistic. A wealthy couple, the Carters (played by Betty Kean and Herb Vigran), donate a bunch of fancy toys, but only to show off to their social circle. Meanwhile, a lonely old man, Mr. McBeevee (played by Karl Swenson), gives away a bag of rocks, thinking they're beautiful gems but actually being worthless. Opie is disappointed by the Carters' vanity and confused by Mr. McBeevee's mistake, but Andy teaches him that giving is about generosity of spirit, not the value of the gift.

The episode also features several memorable scenes with the supporting characters of Mayberry. Barney (Don Knotts) tries to convince Andy that he should have a "business" relationship with Opie and take a cut of his toy donation money, leading to their usual comedic banter. Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier) gets involved by baking cookies for the toy drive and sweetly scolding Andy for not being more supportive of Opie's cause. Floyd (Howard McNear) makes a brief appearance as a toy repairman who fixes Opie's broken sled. Even Gomer (Jim Nabors) shows up as a gas station attendant who gives Opie a free water pistol that he found on the road.

Overall, Opie's Charity is a classic feel-good episode of The Andy Griffith Show that exemplifies the wholesome values and small-town charm of the series. It tackles themes of philanthropy, community, and human decency in a lighthearted and relatable way. The episode also showcases the strong relationship between Andy and Opie, as well as the quirky personalities and eccentricities of the people in their town. Fans of the show will enjoy revisiting this charming episode and the heartwarming lessons it imparts.