Put joy under a child’s Christmas tree
Last year, more than 70,000 toys were collected through the Toys for Tots program, helping 10,000 children in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties have a happier holiday.
“We try to give each child three toys and a stocking stuffer,” said Sgt. John Allen, an assistant coordinator for the program.
Sgt. Jevon Washington said he knows firsthand the joy the program can bring.
“Coming from personal experience, growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money,” said Washington. “There were a few Christmases where there were no toys under the tree, and for a kid to know that someone out there cares for them and that they’re thought of at a special time, that means the world.”
Residents can help by donating toys or money. Financial contributions can be made on the Toys for Tots Web site, or at the area’s Marine Corps Reserve Station at North Hills Circle in Charlotte.
“If you donate to the fund online, it goes to the foundation, and does help children, but if you donate here directly, the money stays in the Mecklenburg area,” said Washington. “The more money you donate here, the more toys we can buy.”
For those who would rather give a toy, Allen said there are two age-groups that are frequently overlooked.
“The middle-age children, teens ages 12 to 15, and infants are the ones that don’t usually get as many gifts,” he said. “I think some of the older kids would enjoy some sports-related items, like footballs or soccer balls, and my girls are really into Barbie and the Bratz dolls, so those would probably be pretty popular.”
One Toys for Tots location is offering a healthy incentive for donors. Mooresville’s Chiropractic USA will give anyone who donates an unwrapped toy a free exam and X-rays, if needed, at their expense.
“This is the third year we’re doing this,” said Dr. John Moore, a chiropractor at the facility. “We want to help out and do our part. There’s no better feeling than to give, and for us, it’s easy.”
Moore said it is a good opportunity to serve the community.
“We love to help out kids and we’ll do whatever we can to help them have a great Christmas,” he said.
The program, run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, didn’t always have such a wide reach.
“The program started in 1947 in California, when Marine reservist Bill Hendricks tried to find a place to donate a handmade Rageddy Anne his wife made,” Washington said of. “When he couldn’t find a place to do so, his wife suggested he start an organization. That year, they provided 5,000 toys and it’s grown ever since.”
DROP-OFF SITES
Nationwide Insurance
K-B Toys
Big Lots
Bank of America Stadium (At the Panther’s game Dec. 16)
Dollar General
Marine Corps League
Chiropractor USA
Victory Lanes in Mooresville
Peak Fitness
Family Dollar
Lake Norman Health and Wellness in Cornelius
WHAT NOT TO DONATE:
Used toys
Wrapped presents
Toys with violent themes (i.e. toys with weapons)
Books (because Toys for Tots already receives donations from Scholastic)
Stuffed animals
FOR MORE:
To learn more about how to donate, visit http://www.toysfortotsnc.com
By Megan Sprague
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