As we approach the Thanksgiving season, Americans will take time 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 Christmas.
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.
New Opportunities of Dallas County manages the Toys for Tots program in the Perry area, with John and Linda Andorf serving as the local contact persons for donations and distributions. The U.S. Marine Corps donates many toys and games toward the local needs, but more are needed than can be provided through this generous military group.
New Opportunities has completed the application process and anticipates a need this year for toys and gifts for approximately 300 to 400 local children.
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. Please consider shopping at our local Hy-Vee and Fareway stores the week of Thanksgiving because both stores will doing a Round-Up collection for the Perry Holiday Drive.
Collection boxes for the Perry Toy Drive are in place at ShopKo, Ben’s Five and Dime, Dollar General, Medicap, Perry Perk, Perry Public Library, Orscheln’s, Fareway and Raccoon Valley Bank. Other participating businesses include VanWall Implement, Percival Scientific, and Farm Credit Services.
The Perry Booster Club is considering a collection for the Dec. 1 basketball games. Collection boxes will be in place until Dec. 1, with distribution occurring Dec. 8.
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.
