Toys for Tots kicks off local toy drive for 450 Perry-area children

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, Americans take time to count our blessings and be thankful for what we have. During this time, the Toys for Tots campaign also begins its annual collection drive 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.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.

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.

New Opportunities has completed the application process and anticipates a need of toys and gifts for approximately 450 local children.

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.

Drop-off collection boxes can be found in Perry at ShopKo, Ben’s Five and Dime, Dollar General, Medicap, Perry Perk, the Perry Public Library and Perry High School.

Collection boxes will be in place until Dec. 5, with distribution occurring by Dec. 11.

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.