Toys for Tots drive begins
CHENANGO COUNTY– Ensuring every child in the county is given an opportunity to share in the spirit of Christmas, local volunteers are getting started early this year to provide the public more chances to take part.
With the continuing increase in cost for some of people’s most basic needs, “Toys for Tots” sponsored by the United Sattes Marine Corps has provided its service to needy families since the late 1940s. Joining the effort years later was Roger Barnhart, a Chenango County resident. Barnhart says he has been involved one way or another since 1985, and as he heads into his 22nd year, he is now in charge of coordinating the effort for the county. “In years past, the Marines out of Syracuse would coordinate it for our area. This year we have the advantage of doing it ourselves,” said Barnhart.
For the past eight to nine years, The Label Gallery in Norwich has helped the effort and has joined forces with the local food pantry Roots and Wings so families can sign up for the service at the pantry and go to the pantry to pick up their gifts.
The bins have been distributed and will remain in stores until Dec. 14.
Barnhart explains the arrangement between the local pantry and the Label Gallery is a “great combination.” Having a coordinator locally is also a helpful asset, he says. “We can order the bins we need, posters, pencils, rulers and begin to advertise what we are trying to do,” he said.
Barnhart says 1,653 children received toys last year from approximately 750 families throughout the county. This year Barnhart explains they plan on at least serving as many as they have in years past, if not more. “No one is turned away,” said Barnhart. He explains the service is provided for Chenango County residents, but people living on the border have been helped before.
“Every child deserves a little Christmas,” said Barnhart.
The 12 to 15 volunteers who make this effort possible year to year are also planning on having fundraising events including a bottle drive Dec. 1.
Although the bins for toys have been placed in stores, people may also drop off items at the Label Gallery in Norwich. Donations must be a new, unwrapped toy and be for a child under the age of 12.
For more information call the Label Gallery at 334-3244 or Roger Barnhart at 967-5067. To sign up, call Roots and Wings at 336-7897.
With the continuing increase in cost for some of people’s most basic needs, “Toys for Tots” sponsored by the United Sattes Marine Corps has provided its service to needy families since the late 1940s. Joining the effort years later was Roger Barnhart, a Chenango County resident. Barnhart says he has been involved one way or another since 1985, and as he heads into his 22nd year, he is now in charge of coordinating the effort for the county. “In years past, the Marines out of Syracuse would coordinate it for our area. This year we have the advantage of doing it ourselves,” said Barnhart.
For the past eight to nine years, The Label Gallery in Norwich has helped the effort and has joined forces with the local food pantry Roots and Wings so families can sign up for the service at the pantry and go to the pantry to pick up their gifts.
The bins have been distributed and will remain in stores until Dec. 14.
Barnhart explains the arrangement between the local pantry and the Label Gallery is a “great combination.” Having a coordinator locally is also a helpful asset, he says. “We can order the bins we need, posters, pencils, rulers and begin to advertise what we are trying to do,” he said.
Barnhart says 1,653 children received toys last year from approximately 750 families throughout the county. This year Barnhart explains they plan on at least serving as many as they have in years past, if not more. “No one is turned away,” said Barnhart. He explains the service is provided for Chenango County residents, but people living on the border have been helped before.
“Every child deserves a little Christmas,” said Barnhart.
The 12 to 15 volunteers who make this effort possible year to year are also planning on having fundraising events including a bottle drive Dec. 1.
Although the bins for toys have been placed in stores, people may also drop off items at the Label Gallery in Norwich. Donations must be a new, unwrapped toy and be for a child under the age of 12.
For more information call the Label Gallery at 334-3244 or Roger Barnhart at 967-5067. To sign up, call Roots and Wings at 336-7897.
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