TRC’s Toys for Tots drive gearing up

Mike Volk, one of the coordinators of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots drive in Chautauqua County, hands a package to TRC employee Kim Scoma as they unload a truckload of toys delivered by the Marine Corps Reserve to TRC’s Administrative Offices.

Election Day has come and gone, but now The Resource Center is kicking off its campaign to make the holidays brighter for area children and their families.

The Toys for Tots train is once again pulling into Chautauqua County and transforming the cities of Jamestown and Dunkirk into a scene out of Santa’s workshop at the North Pole.  The italicized pieces of this article are excerpts from an actual letter signed, “a grateful Mom.”

“I am a widower with 8 kids.  Since my husband passed away 6 years ago, things have been very difficult for my family, financially and emotionally.  I have a good job, but with a family of 9 it is still very difficult to get by.  For several years now, Christmas has not been a day to celebrate.  I made a promise to my children last year that Christmas was going to change.  I didn’t know how, but I knew I had to do something.  I was very nervous to seek help but I knew I could not do it on my own which was proven in previous years.  I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew it would be better than what my kids got last year.  So my friend gave me some information on Toys for Tots and I went and signed up.”

In fact, hundreds of families signed up, and more than 2,500 children were served as part of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots drive in Chautauqua County last year, with that number expected to increase this time around.  For the 11th straight year, The Resource Center is once again spearheading the Toys for Tots effort in all of Chautauqua County.

There are about 110 local businesses and organization that have Toys for Tots collection barrels or boxes do area residents can donate toys to the cause.  Some of them include The Resource Center, Time Warner Cable, Dollar General, Family Dollar, the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena and C.C. Ring Elementary School in Jamestown.  Toy donations will be accepted through December 16.

“Without this program, there are a lot of kids in the area who wouldn’t have a Christmas,” said TRC’s Michael Volk, one of the Toys for Tots Coordinators.

TRC began its 2011 campaign with its annual Charity Ball fund-raiser and collected quite a bit of money and toys to help get this year’s drive started.  As the community continues to fill the barrels and boxes with everything from Barbie Dolls and Candy Land, to Hot Wheels and Lego Sets, the local Toys for Tots elves are busy taking applications and working with their partner agencies, making a list and checking it twice.

Applications to receive toys are being accepted at local social service agencies.  Applicants must meet income criteria and bring proof of household income as well as identification for themselves and all children living in the household.  Children from birth to age 17 living at home are eligible to receive toys.

Families who are unable to register at a social service organization will have several opportunities to apply directly to TRC: in Jamestown, applications will be accepted from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 2, and from 9:00 to noon Saturday, December 3, at 210 Cherry Street, while in Dunkirk, applications will be accepted from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, December 1, in The Resource Center’s facility at 186 Lake Shore Drive West.

There’s so much more to the Toys for Tots drive than donating a toy or making a cash donation, as more than 200 volunteer elves are needed to help make the event an even bigger success.  Volunteers are needed to sort and bag all the toys as well once distribution begins.

“Without the community involvement and support, we would not be able to do this.  We would have so many children in the County going without toys,” said TRC’s Terri Johnson, another Toys for Tots Coordinator.  “We live in a very generous and creative community that is always willing to donate or help in any way possible.  We have so many organizations that come up with fun ways to raise toys or money.  I have found that everyone wants to help and contribute in some way, and even if they cannot donate monetarily, their volunteerism is support enough.” 

“The community does so much for TRC throughout the year, and this is our way to give back,” adds TRC’s Heather Brown, the other Toys for Tots Coordinator.  “Plus, the volunteers put their heart and soul into it, and by the time they fill the order, they feel like they know the family personally.”

All of the barrels and boxes will be collected by December 16.  Sorting of toys begins at Santa’s workshop on Cherry Street the next day, with bagging of toys for individual families taking place Sunday, December 18, from 8:00 to noon.  In Jamestown, toys will be distributed December 18 from noon to 4:00; Monday, December 19, from 8:00 to 4:00; and Tuesday, December 20, from 8:00 to noon.  In Dunkirk, toys will be distributed December 19 from 9:00 to 3:00 and December 20 from 10:00 to noon.

“When I returned a couple weeks later to pick up my bags, I was overwhelmed!  I had to make 2 trips to my car to fit the toys in.  There was something for everyone.  Even my 17-year-old son who I was not expecting anything for.  When I got home and wrapped the gifts, I could not hold it in.” 

To help meet the demand for toys, given the continued tough economic situation, people and groups in the area are hosting holiday parties.  If you are hosting a party, think about asking all of your guests to bring a new, unwrapped toy as their “ticket” to get in.  Let TRC know ahead of time, then once you’ve collected the toys from your guests, someone from Toys for Tots will pick them up from you.

Cash donations also are encouraged so that money is available to buy gifts for those age groups that typically don’t see a lot of donated toys, particularly older children.  To make a monetary donation, send a check to The Resource Center at 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701.  Do not make checks payable to The Resource Center; instead, checks must be made payable to Toys for Tots.

“The looks on their faces and smiles when we hand them a bag of toys are so great to see.  We feel like we have lifted a huge burden off of these families.  Although it isn’t much that they receive, it is enough to make a difference for their children.  I wish I could see the kids on Christmas morning open the gifts,” said Terri.

“I was overcome with emotions thinking about how many people made A Christmas for MY family!!!   If you could have seen the look on my 7-year-old daughter’s face when she opened her craft set, you would be proud.  Please give my Thanks to anyone and everyone that makes this program possible.  It has given my family the boost we needed to live our lives and be happy.” 

For questions about collection barrels, phone Mike at 661-1433.  For questions about applying for toys, phone Terri at 661-1050.  For questions about toy distribution or holding a holiday event to support Toys for Tots, phone Heather at 661-1042.