With the Thanksgiving holiday season approaching and Americans counting the blessings of our greatness, the Toys for Tots campaign reminds local readers that its annual collection drive begins Monday, Nov. 14.
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.
Toy collections will continue through Dec. 2, with toy distribution completed by Dec. 9, according to John Andorf of Perry.
“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.”
The New Opportunities Dallas County Family Development Center manages the Toys for Tots program, with John 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, Andorf said.
Drop off collection boxes for the 2016 Toys for Tots campaign will be found at the following Perry-area businesses and public facilities:
- Farm Credit Services of America, 105 Theater Circle
- Perry Public Library, 1101 Willis Ave.
- Ben’s Five and Dime, 1221 Second St.
- Van Wall Implement, 22728 141st Drive
- Family Credit Union, 720 First Ave.
- Dollar General, 705 First Ave.
- Medicap Pharmacy, 601 First Ave.
- Shopko, 1305 141st St.
- Perry Perk Coffeehouse, 1218 Second St.
- Great Western Bank, 1111 141st St.
- Raccoon Valley Bank, 1202 Second St.
- Percival Scientific, 505 Research Drive
“In addition to the collection boxes,” Andorf said, “Fareway and Hy Vee are asking store customers to round up their purchases to the next dollar to support toys and holiday food baskets.”
The Holiday Round Up runs Nov. 14-19. New Opportunities anticipates abpout 350 local children will be in need of toys and gifts this holiday season.
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 John or Linda Andorf at 515-975-1604.
