March 28, 2024

Toys for Christmas program information

The annual Clarke County Toys for Christmas program began in 1969 with local attorney Larry VanWerden when he realized there would be some children who would not have presents at Christmas time.

Since then, volunteers have organized and made the program an annual event. The program serves low income Clarke County families with children up to age 16 residing in their home.

The program works with the SCICAP Community Center, Clarke and Murray Community Schools, Parents As Teachers program, Head Start and other agencies who make referrals of families they feel need the program.

The Toys for Christmas program works closely with other agencies in order to have a single program within the county. Families are asked to complete an application for the program. The Marines do have a Toys for Tots Program, however those items have not come back to Clarke County.

The program relies on individual and business donations of cash, new clothing and new toys. Some individual families and businesses, as well as churches, adopt families to purchase the gifts for.

To date, 27 churches, businesses and individuals have signed up to adopt families this year. The program has received a donation of more than 100 new coats from the Rotary.

Some local merchants offer a discount for purchased items. Hormel is a supporter of the project and donates hams to be given to each family. The program has no administrative costs and is manned entirely by volunteers. Osceola Senior Center allows the use of its facility to house the program. SCICAP Community Center Coordinator Janie Hatfield is a huge help with coordinating the program.

Last year, the program served 126 families, which represented 316 children. Children receive both clothing and toys. Once the gifts are wrapped, the families may pick them up on the distribution days in December or arrangements can be made to deliver them, if need be.

In addition to the new gifts for each child, the program offers a limited supply of clean, used winter clothing that can be selected on the distribution days of Dec. 18 and 19. The distribution hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The majority of families express their gratitude and local officials often hear comments about how they wouldn’t have a Christmas without this program.

If people would like to help with the project they can volunteer to wrap gifts, donate wrapping paper, scotch tape, new toys or clothing items or cash to the program.

Items can be brought to the community center on the west side of the square. This is a chance for people to be generous and willing to help their neighbors who need help at Christmas time.

For more information call Clarke Community Center 342-2101 or Dianne Riley, treasurer, 342-4681.