Shoppers may have already noticed the familiar boxes in Pratt stores that are ready to be filled with new, unwrapped toys for children who might have a bleak Christmas without help from strangers. Toys for Tots boxes have been placed at Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Alco, Dillons, at Peoples, First National and First State banks and at Pratt High School. A collection box will be available Saturday at the Old Fashioned Christmas celebration at the courthouse square. Monetary contributions may be made to the Toys for Tots fund at the Peoples Bank.
About 200 families will be served this year, Diane Landenburger predicted. She and Georgie Fowler have coordinated the program for several years, with help from the Rebekah Lodge and Pratt High School National Honor Society.
Ladenburger expects to be able to satisfy an expanding need.
“The community of Pratt is always so generous,” she said. “We usually do very well.”
A toy run sponsored by the Legion Riders Post 86 and Gabriel’s Thunder kicked off collection in early October.
When National Honor Society volunteers begin wrapping packages, they usually find that toys for newborns and for children age 8 to 12 are in shorter supply, Ladenburger said.
She suggested rattles, crib mobiles, play gyms, stacking blocks and other educational toys and teething toys for babies. She discouraged giving stuffed toys because so many children are allergic to them.
Older children might like iTunes gift cards and small electronic games. Ladenburger recommends games of all kinds because they promote family activities. Girls like inexpensive costume jewelry and make-up.
A selection guide linked to Toys for Tots websites offers other suggestions:
1- to 3-year-olds like physical play activities. Large blocks and toys which encourage development of eye-hand coordination are good. Toddlers like to imitate their parents and toy safety is especially important at this age.
3- to 5-year-olds are fascinated with the way things work. Consider creative toys such as construction sets, crayons and washable markers, watercolor paints and simple board games. Toy telephones and computers, doll houses and pretend kitchen appliances enable them to practice life skills and imitate their parents.
For 5- to 9-year-olds select hobby toys, sports equipment, problem-solving toys, construction sets and storybooks.
Simple toys are less interesting for preteens. Construction sets, science toys and sports toys, as well as board games and puzzles are good choices. Board, card and electronic games can help them develop social and intellectual skills.
Toys volunteers collect from store boxes at least once a week during the holiday season. The last collection will be made Dec. 15 to allow toys to be wrapped for pick-up by parents before Christmas.
Pratt, Kan. —
