PORT ANGELES — At least 3,188 children in Clallam County received toys from the Toys for Tots in Clallam County program this year.
Steve Deutermann, Toys for Tots coordinator in Clallam County didn’t have the final count earlier this week because the program gets requests up until Christmas.
It received at least $12,000 in cash donations from the community, on top of the thousands of toys donated, Deutermann said.
“It’s heartwarming,” he said. “It’s really amazing to see this level of generosity.”
Volunteers from the Mount Olympus detachment of the Marine Corps League accepted donations over the past month at stores in Port Angeles and Sequim.
Patrons of the stores were asked to donate either a new, unwrapped toy or cash to enable the Toys for Tots volunteers to purchase toys for specific age and gender ranges that are underrepresented in donations.
“Everyone who writes a check gets an acknowledgment from the foundation,” he said.
No matter the amount, local volunteers write thank you notes for those who donated, he said.
In 2015, Toys for Tots provided more than 18 million toys to 7 million children in need nationwide.
Clallam County’s program donated more than 7,000 toys to 2,600 children in the county.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
