Toys for Tots Campaign Hurting This Year After Losing Major Donor

Toys for Tots is asking for the public to give a little extra this year.

In our area, Toys for Tots helps low-income families in Stephens, Franklin, and Hart counties.

Local coordinator Don Alexander said Tuesday, Toys for Tots lost a big contributor when the Toys R Us stores closed.

“Down here we used to get $3,400 a year, but since they went out of business we started out this year in the hole. We have a whole lot of kids without a whole lot of toys. We need help from the public. If they see the jars out, to put some money in them. If they go by the Walmart in Toccoa and Hartwell to make a donation. It will be greatly appreciated,” he said.

Alexander said they are also asking for monetary and toy donations from local businesses.

Alexander said Tuesday they only had around $1,500 to spend on toys for some 1,600 children in the three counties.

And that includes buying gift items for the older children up to 15 yrs old who don’t want or need toys.

“The toys are good but most of the time we get toys for small children, but we also buy for kids up to age 15,” Alexander explained. “When we start buying for the older kids, we don’t buy toys, we buy items. We get electronics and different things like that for them. So the main thing is this year, we’re hurting more than we normally are.

Alexander said they will be collecting toys and monetary donations through Saturday, December 22nd at the Walmarts in Toccoa and Hartwell.

The Georgia State Patrol is also involved in collecting gifts for Toys for Tots.

Toccoa Post 7 Commander Chad Johnson said the GSP participates every year.

“We’ve been working in coordination with the Marine Corps Reserve for the last nine years. This is the first year we’re doing it as an agency. Every patrol post and Post 7 we have a drop box. Anyone who would like to donate a toy can bring it by the Post we will collect it and turn it over to the Toys for Tots campaign,” Johnson said.

And there is still time for families who need toys to apply for help.

Stephens County residents can go online to the Toys for Tots Toccoa web site at Toccoa Toys for Tots and click on Request a Toy.

People living in Franklin and Hart counties should call: 706-244-4608.