Sequim Community Aid seeks toys for children through Dec. 18

Published 12:01 am Friday, November 28, 2014

SEQUIM — Sequim Community Aid is accepting donations for its Toys for Sequim Kids giveaway.

The nonprofit — which provides year-round help with utility and mortgage payments to those in need — will distribute donations at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.

Items are for children from young babies through eighth-graders.

Participants must show proof of living within the Sequim School District along with photo identification.

“All the toys that come into our program stay in Sequim,” said Donna Tidrick, president of Sequim Community Aid.

How to give

Requests for specific toys can be picked up and dropped off at the Sequim QFC, 990 E. Washington St., through Dec. 18.

A tree with slips of paper specifying special types of warm goods — such as socks, hats, gloves and pajamas — was set up at the Sequim Rite Aid, 520 W. Washington St., earlier this month but has since been taken down by corporate orders, according to Tidrick.

Those who picked up requests at the store can return goods there by Dec. 18, she said; the manager will accept them for the organization.

Otherwise, clothing and toys both can be donated at the Clallam County Fire District No. 3 station, 323 N. Fifth Ave.

Blankets, throws

Blankets and throws also will be given away at the event, Tidrick said.

Boy Scouts with Troop 1103 will host a blanket drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sequim Grocery Outlet, 1045 W. Washington St., on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Also that day, several Girls Scout troops will collect blankets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at QFC.

Boy Scout Troop 90 will host another blanket drive at the Grocery Outlet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13.

Blue Sky Realty and other participating Realtors also will collect throws and blankets through Dec. 18.

Distribution

On Dec. 19, participants — who need not register in advance — can arrive at 9 a.m. at the church, which is providing the hall but is not a sponsor of the event, Tidrick said.

Parents must show proof of Sequim residence, sign their names and tell the ages of their children.

A volunteer — an “elf,” Tidrick said — will provide gifts for each family.

Each child usually receives a stuffed animal and two toys — one a stocking stuffer and one a little more expensive — and may also receive an age-appropriate game and an item of clothing, Tidrick said.

A blanket or throw will go to each family for as long as supplies last, she said.

“We had 178 blankets last year,” she said. “It was the first time we had one for each family.

“I’d like to have the same amount if not a few more” this year, she added.

Some 50 to 60 volunteers put on the giveaway each year, she said, adding that more volunteers are welcome.

Need more elves

“We have a need for people to serve as elves,” she said.

Sequim Community Aid originally gave away toys and food baskets, said Tidrick, who has been with the group for 31 years.

In 1983, it reorganized and began helping those in need with utility bills.

“At Christmas, we still do the toys,” said Tidrick, who serves as co-chair of the giveaway with Jim Davis.

“That’s how we started to begin with, worrying about children in Sequim having a nice Christmas,” she added.

Phone Sequim Community Aid at 360-681-3731 for assistance.

Donations can be mailed to Sequim Community Aid, P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA 98382.

On checks, write “Toys” on the memo line if the donation is intended for that purpose. To donate for general year-round utility assistance, leave the memo line blank.