The Toys for Tots campaign in Perry got a boost Friday with a $230 cash donation from the Society of Retired Experts (SORE) coffee group at the Perry Perk coffeehouse.
Toy collections will continue through Dec. 8, with toy distribution completed the following week, according to John Andorf of Perry, longtime co-organizer of the holiday event, who accepted the SORE donation. The donation came from the full SORE membership, but on hand to celebrate were SORE members Jim Caufield, Nick Eakins, who also celebrated his 70th birthday with coffee and rolls for the membership, Ray Harden, Lou Hoger, Larry Laborde and Richard Wede.
“Perry people show their generosity every year with this program,” Andorf said, “and we know this year will be no exception. This program brings joy to some of our neediest families, who otherwise have few Christmas joys.”
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. Major 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 than us. The New Opportunities Dallas County Family Development Center manages the Toys for Tots program, with John Andorf and Linda Andorf serving as the local contacts for donations and distribution.
The U.S. Marine Corps donates many toys and games toward local needs, but more are needed than can be provided through this generous military group. Drop off collection boxes for the 2016 Toys for Tots campaign will be found at the following Perry-area businesses and public facilities:
The Toys for Tots collection boxes are set up around Perry and can be found at the Perry Perk coffeehouse, Fareway, Dollar General, Hy-Vee, Tractor Supply, Percival Scientific, Perry Public Library, Van Wall Equipment and the Family Credit Union.
In addition to the collection boxes, the local Fareway and Hy Vee grocery stores are asking store customers to round up their purchases to the next dollar to support toys and holiday food baskets.”
Andorf estimated about 350 local children will receive toys and gifts this holiday season, a slight drop from the 400 served in 2023.
New and 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 Christmas food baskets.
Monetary donations should be made out to New Opportunities.
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 the Andorfs at 515-975-1604.
