PORT TOWNSEND — Toys for Tots in Jefferson County is seeking donations for children who might otherwise not have Christmas presents.
“This year, with the difficulties resulting from the global pandemic, there are more families than ever that won’t be able to provide that joy,” said Melanie Bozak of the Kiwanis Club of Port Townsend.
Donations can be made at several locations in Jefferson County or at the Fill the Bus event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Safeway parking lot at 442 W Sims Way, Port Townsend.
Some 520 children from 231 families have signed up so far to request holiday gifts from Christmas for Children (C4C) and Kiwanis Club members, who are working with C4C, expect the number of families will reach 250 or more, up from 218 families last year, Bozak said in a press release.
Toys for Tots is a national program of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
All collections made in Jefferson County stay in the county.
C4C attempts to fill one specific wish and need each that the child requests plus uses other local donations of dental supplies, hats, gloves, socks, and candy bags to give to children, Bozak said.
In addition, each child receives a book or game, and all babies and toddlers get stuffed animals.
The needs often are for shoes and coats and wishes are for a variety of toys and sports equipment.
The Kiwanis Club members have placed both toy collection and cash donation boxes in all areas of the county but there are numerous locations not able to host them this year due to closures and limited space, Bozak said.
“That means it will be much harder to fill all the needs and wishes that are coming into the C4C phone lines for toys, clothes, books, and games,” she said.
During Fill the Bus, residents can drop off gifts at a Jefferson Transit bus, which has been donated again this year to collect donations for Toys for Tots.
Volunteers will be adhering carefully to safety protocols as advised by the county health department. They will meet residents at their cars and accept new, unwrapped items or cash donations.
Those who are unable to donate in person could send online purchases to Don Olsen, the Toys for Tots coordinator, and that could include purchased gifts or gift certificates in any amount. He may be contacted by calling 509-366-9468.
This year, the C4C program did not put up Giving Trees to help fill the requests, “so the toy and clothing donations are needed even more this year,” Bozak said.
It’s expected that Toys for Tots will fill about half of the needs and wishes while the use of the Christmas for Children reserves will help with the rest.
It’s been estimated that the two programs together have paid out well over $15,000 on toys and clothes and, with the donations, will provide more than $30,000 total in gifts.
In addition, the Toys for Tots program give many local nonprofits toys to help the children in their programs.
Such organizations include the Dove House, veterans programs, foster children programs and the YMCA.
The following locations have the Toys for Tots boxes and will collect donations until Dec. 9:
• Brinnon-Quilcene: Brinnon Fire Department, Quilcene Fire Department, 101 Brewery and Twana Roadhouse.
• Chimacum-Port Hadlock: Olympic Equipment Rental, Port Hadlock Building Supply, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Edward Jones, Kitsap Bank, Tri-Area Pharmacy, QFC grocery, Dr. Michael Dam, chiropractor.
• Port Ludlow: Port Ludlow Fire Department, Edward Jones, Coldwell Banker Best Homes.
• Port Townsend: Aldrich’s Market, Edward Jones, Auto Works, Elks Lodge, QFC Foods, Safeway, Caldwell Banker Realty, Quimper Mercantile, Don’s Pharmacy, Avamere of Port Townsend, Jefferson Healthcare hospital, 1st Security Bank, Kitsap Credit Union, San Juan Tacqueria, Sunrise Coffee and Salish Coast Elementary and Blue Heron Middle School offices.
