As we approach the Thanksgiving season, Americans are preparing to count our blessings and be thankful for what we have. During this time, the Perry Holiday Toy Drive in conjunction with the Toys for Tots campaign will begin its annual collection of new toys in preparation for the Christmas holiday season.
Volunteers placed collection boxes around town Nov. 1, and the boxes will be out through Wednesday, Nov. 27 of Thanksgiving weekend. Toy organization and distribution will be held Dec. 2 through Dec. 6 at the Perry Elks Lodge, a new location due to construction at the Crossroads Church.
Collection boxes for this year’s Perry Holiday Toy Drive can be found at the Perry Public Library, Perry Perk, Raccoon Valley Bank, Family Credit Union, Ben’s Five and Dime, Van Wall Implement, Medicap, Percival Scientific, Orschlen’s, Dollar General, Hy-Vee and Snap Fitness.
Fareway and Hy-Vee will hold a Toys for Tots Round-Up Nov. 18-25.
New Opportunities has completed the application process and anticipates a need this year for toys and gifts for approximately 300 to 400 local children. The U.S. Marine Corps donates many toys and games toward our local needs, but more are needed than can be provided by this generous military group.
New, unwrapped toys are needed for local children from infants to 14-year-olds. While toys are needed for younger children, monetary donations are accepted in order to purchase gift items for older children and for Christmas food baskets. Monetary donations should be made out to New Opportunities.
Toys for Tots has been in operation since 1947, when the wife of a U.S. Marine wanted to give a homemade doll to charity. Maj. William Hendricks could not find a charity that gave Christmas gifts to needy children, so he started his own charity. This began the national effort and the birth of Toys for Tots. The goal of the Toys for Tots program is to deliver a new toy at Christmas and to provide a message of hope to those less fortunate.
Please consider this act of kindness, and help to make a child smile on Christmas morning. For more information or to have a monetary donation picked up, please contact John or Linda Andorf at 515-465-5803.
