PORT TOWNSEND — Trisha Minnihan remembers Christmas Day in 2002 as a good one.
Then 10 years old, Minnihan’s family had fallen on tough times, but thanks to some anonymous donors she, her younger sister and two younger brothers had a full bounty of gifts under their Christmas tree.
“When I was in fifth grade, our family was in need of toys and someone came through for us,” said Minnihan, now a 17-year-old senior at Port Townsend High School.
“I remember that really well, and I remember it was a really nice thing that people did for us.”
Now, her family is on the other end of the spectrum and aren’t worrying this year. But Minnihan’s thoughts have turned to others who may be in the situation she remembers seven years ago.
For her high school senior project, Minnihan has set up two toy boxes for collections in Port Townsend — one at Quimper Community Credit Union, 1165 Landes Court, and one at Henery’s Do It Best Hardware, 218 W. Sims Way.
“This is something I have known I wanted to do for a long time,” Minnihan said.
“I’m hoping it all comes together, so a few families can have a good Christmas like I did that year.”
The instructions on the boxes she left are simple: whatever you can afford, please give.
“I don’t have a list of things, just asking people to add whatever they possibly can,” she said.
“I’m trying to do this for three families total. There are 16 kids, both boys and girls, from ages of infant to teenager.
“I know it’s broad, but children are happy to get anything, and obviously anything helps in this situation.”
Minnihan has also set up an account at Quimper Community Credit Union called “Trisha’s Toy Drive,” which can be added to, and will be used to buy anything that is missing.
The entire project is being documented by Minnihan as she prepares to graduate in 2010.
“We have to present it all to graduate,” she said.
“But this is something I really wanted to do and to help give back.
“It’s a good thing for everyone.”
For more information on the toy drive, contact Minnihan at 360-821-1196 or visit the locations of the toy drive at Quimper Community Credit Union, 1165 Landes Court, or at Henery’s Do It Best Hardware, 218 W. Sims Way.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.