Toys for Tots drive under way

There’s not much that compares to the expression of excitement and joy that appears on a child’s face when opening presents on Christmas Day. Again this year, The Resource Center will do its best to make sure that needy children are able to experience the magic of the holidays.

For the seventh straight year, TRC employees have volunteered to coordinate Chautauqua County’s U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive, and organizers are hoping for another strong showing of support from the local community to meet what is expected to be a record number of requests for assistance.

The number of children benefiting from the Toys for Tots drive has grown each year, reaching 2.007 last holiday season in 2004. Organizers anticipate the need will be even greater this year and are expecting to receive requests for assistance from the parents of 2,000 children.

Area residents wishing to support TRC’s Toys for Tots drive may place new, unwrapped toys in any of the dozens of Toys for Tots collection barrels and boxes that will be located at various businesses across the area through December 17. For a list of donation sites, click here or call The Resource Center at 661-4781.

Monetary donations are also needed to purchase items in age categories for which there are not enough toys to meet the need. To make a monetary donation, send a check made payable to Toys for Tots to The Resource Center, 880 East Second Street, Jamestown, NY, 14701.

Additionally, TRC will again have a float in the Jamestown Holiday Parade, which will be held Friday, December 7. In past years people have brought toys to the parade and placed them on the Toys for Tots float, and residents are encouraged to do so again this year. The Resource Center is the primary sponsor of this year’s parade.

Terri Johnson, left, TRC Supported Employment Supervisor, and Heather Brown, Employment Services Program Manager, pause while decorating the Downtown Jamestown Development Corp.'s window with Toys for Tots paraphernalia and other holiday items.

A number of area businesses and schools are conducting their own mini-campaigns for Toys for Tots. Click here for details. Those interested in doing something similar can call The Resource Center at 661-4781.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program was established in California in 1947, and since then it has spread across the country and throughout the world. Children age 17 and younger whose family income meets federal poverty guidelines are eligible to receive presents through Toys for Tots. Application forms are available at human service agencies throughout Chautauqua County, and parents should register their children for Toys for Tots through their service coordinator, who can verify the family’s eligibility.

Several walk-in registration dates have been set for parents to register their children to receive assistance from Toys for Tots. People may register in person from noon to 4:00 Friday, November 30, and from 9:00 to noon Saturday, December 8, at the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation (210 Cherry Street in Jamestown), which is serving as the headquarters for this year’s toy drive.

Parents must bring proof of their children’s ages and verification of their household income. If possible, parents are asked to have the agency that provides services to the family verify the children’s eligibility before showing up at registration.

Supporting TRC’s Toys for Tots drive by sponsoring this year’s campaign are Time Warner Cable.

Comments

Every year, the number of children registered for Toys for Tots increases. Without the public’s donations of toys, TRC would not be able to reach its goal: two presents for every child. Toys for Tots benefits children up to age 17, and while the community generously donates thousands of toys every year, TRC always comes up short in some age groups – usually infants and older teen-agers. We also are seeking businesses and organizations willing to collect toys at their locations. To learn how you can support our Toys for Tots drive, contact Mike Volk at 661-1433 or trcesmv@windstream.net.