Local ‘Toys for Tots’ campaign underway in Chenango
NORWICH – Those gathering in downtown Norwich Saturday to enjoy the annual “Parade of Lights” are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys with them.
Why?
Because there are over 1,600 kids in Chenango County who could use them this Christmas, local “Toys for Tots” volunteer Roger Barnhart says.
Barnhart, a long-time Marine Corps reservist who’s been involved with the toy drive for 22 years, said he knew there was a need locally, but never expected there would be 1,600 kids in Chenango County benefiting from Toys for Tots gifts last Christmas. He doesn’t expect that number to decrease this year.
“If you can imagine a child without a toy on Christmas, you can understand the need for Toys for Tots,” said Barnhart.
Toys for Tots gathers and distributes new, unwrapped toys – donated from the community at large – to needy children who otherwise might not receive presents on Christmas.
The volunteers will be collecting donations from the crowd Saturday night at the parade as they head down Broad Street in their “Toy Story Float.”
Toys for Tots will also be putting on a bottle and can drive Saturday, Dec. 1 at Kelly’s Kans on 6067 East River Road between Cummings Auto Machine and the Chenango Drug and Alcohol building in Norwich. Cans brought to Kelly’s that day will raise money to purchase any necessary toys as the campaign comes to a close. The volunteers will also be running the “Toy Story Float” again that night in the Sherburne Christmas Parade.
The campaign was started by the United States Marine Corps Reservists in 1947 to ensure that needy children had presents at Christmas. This is the first year Chenango County has had its own campaign. Employees from The Label Gallery in Norwich and Barnhart, the postmaster at the South New Berlin Post Office, are this year’s main organizers. They also gather and store the toys until it’s time to pass them out in mid-December.
“There are some families out there going through some tough times,” said Dennis Granger, a volunteer from The Label Gallery. “With what little bit we can offer, especially on Christmas, we can really help each other out.”
From now until Dec. 14, donations can also be left at the over 25 drop-off sites in the area, which includes The Label Gallery on Lee Avenue.
Families can also sign-up to receive gifts anytime from now until then by contacting Roots and Wings at 336-7897.
Barnhart and fellow volunteers have ramped up the 2007 campaign in Chenango County to meet what’s unfortunately become a growing need.
Barnhart said Christmas should be a time when struggling families and children can be relieved of the challenges they face everyday. He said that relief can come from something as simple as a toy.
For a complete list of the drop-off site in Chenango County, visit www.toysfortots.org. or contact Roger Barnhart at 967-5057.
Why?
Because there are over 1,600 kids in Chenango County who could use them this Christmas, local “Toys for Tots” volunteer Roger Barnhart says.
Barnhart, a long-time Marine Corps reservist who’s been involved with the toy drive for 22 years, said he knew there was a need locally, but never expected there would be 1,600 kids in Chenango County benefiting from Toys for Tots gifts last Christmas. He doesn’t expect that number to decrease this year.
“If you can imagine a child without a toy on Christmas, you can understand the need for Toys for Tots,” said Barnhart.
Toys for Tots gathers and distributes new, unwrapped toys – donated from the community at large – to needy children who otherwise might not receive presents on Christmas.
The volunteers will be collecting donations from the crowd Saturday night at the parade as they head down Broad Street in their “Toy Story Float.”
Toys for Tots will also be putting on a bottle and can drive Saturday, Dec. 1 at Kelly’s Kans on 6067 East River Road between Cummings Auto Machine and the Chenango Drug and Alcohol building in Norwich. Cans brought to Kelly’s that day will raise money to purchase any necessary toys as the campaign comes to a close. The volunteers will also be running the “Toy Story Float” again that night in the Sherburne Christmas Parade.
The campaign was started by the United States Marine Corps Reservists in 1947 to ensure that needy children had presents at Christmas. This is the first year Chenango County has had its own campaign. Employees from The Label Gallery in Norwich and Barnhart, the postmaster at the South New Berlin Post Office, are this year’s main organizers. They also gather and store the toys until it’s time to pass them out in mid-December.
“There are some families out there going through some tough times,” said Dennis Granger, a volunteer from The Label Gallery. “With what little bit we can offer, especially on Christmas, we can really help each other out.”
From now until Dec. 14, donations can also be left at the over 25 drop-off sites in the area, which includes The Label Gallery on Lee Avenue.
Families can also sign-up to receive gifts anytime from now until then by contacting Roots and Wings at 336-7897.
Barnhart and fellow volunteers have ramped up the 2007 campaign in Chenango County to meet what’s unfortunately become a growing need.
Barnhart said Christmas should be a time when struggling families and children can be relieved of the challenges they face everyday. He said that relief can come from something as simple as a toy.
For a complete list of the drop-off site in Chenango County, visit www.toysfortots.org. or contact Roger Barnhart at 967-5057.
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