Toys for Tots program in urgent need of donations
The Kansas City Metro Area Toys for Tots is finding itself in urgent need of toys.
The organization has a large number of requests for toys, but donations so far have been going slowly.
“We got about 95,000 toys requested,” said Gunnery Sgt. Chad Sawyer, coordinator of the Kansas City Metro Area Toys for Tots. “We are about able to fill about a third of that at this point.”
With the deadline of Dec. 16 for the toys to be turned in, the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve is asking for help.
“Last year we filled over 67,000 requests for toys,” Sawyer said.
People can help by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to drop-off points, including Toys R Us and QuikTrip stores.
Also, there is a 48-hour toy drive at the radio station Hot 103 Jamz beginning 6 a.m. Friday at the Walmart at 11601 E. U.S. 40 in Kansas City.
For a complete listing of toy drives, go to the local Toys for Tots website. People can also donate money at http://kansas-city-mo.toysfortots.org/.
Sawyer suggests spending between $10 and $30 on a toy. The organization would prefer people donate something besides stuffed animals. Also, people should stay away from giving toys that look like weapons out of concern for safety of the children, he added.
In addition, the organization is in need of toys for children aged 11 and older.
“A lot people forget about the teens,” he said. “When they think about Toys for Tots they think of young children. Usually the age groups between 3 and 10 years old get filled.”
The Marine Corps Reserve started the Toys for Tots program in 1947.
“We’re giving a kid that has no hope some kind of hope,” Sawyer said. “If it’s one toy that reaches him on Christmas when he didn’t think he would get anything, it gives them hope.
“Our goal as the Toys for Tots Foundation is to turn society better through hope,” he said.
For more information about donating, contact Sawyer at 816-843-3577 or 816-843-3505.
To reach Robert A. Cronkleton, call 816-234-4261 or send email to bcronkleton@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published December 4, 2014 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Toys for Tots program in urgent need of donations."