Santa’s not the only one making a list and checking it twice; local shoppers don’t want to forget the relatives and friends on their gift list. Anyone who is able is encouraged to add a stranger to the list — a child whose family needs a little help to make the holidays bright.
The familiar Toys for Tots boxes are already in place at businesses around the community and Angel Trees will go up this week. Names of children from birth through 11 years of age are still being taken, but Angel Tree coordinator Tiffany Brown expects that her list will include about 250 children for both the clothing and the toy programs.
Donating is easy. For Toys for Tots, buy a new toy and drop it in the box after checking out or find a box in other convenient Pratt locations. To “adopt” an Angel, pick a paper angel from a tree, select one or more items of new clothing according to sizes listed, wrap and return, or bring it unwrapped to the office of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at 619 North Main.
Toys for babies and older children are sometimes in short supply when volunteers begin wrapping and sacking gifts, coordinator Georgie Fowler said. She suggested electronic games, inexpensive wristwatches and personal items like hair barrettes and ponytail holders for the older children. For babies, follow guidelines printed on packaging to select an appropriate toy.
Bring your own children or grandchildren along on the shopping trip — they may have a good idea what other kids their age would enjoy, Fowler said, and it’s good for them to know that some children don’t have a lot of nice things unless someone helps.
She offered a few caveats. First, choose a good quality toy that you might consider for your own children; it’s disappointing to receive something that breaks within the first hours of use. Secondly, give only new toys, even if a secondhand toy appears almost new. The Toys for Tots program may be a child’s best opportunity to have something brand new, chosen especially for him or her.
She cautioned against giving CDs or videos, because families may not have equipment to play them.
American Legion Post 86 Legion Riders, Gabriel’s Thunder and the Christian Motorcycle Association have already donated $1,600 to purchase toys to fill out requests.
Toys for Tots boxes have been placed at Alco, Dillons, Dollar General, The Peoples Bank, Sears and Walmart.
Angels may be picked up and gifts returned to Cooper Tire, Dillons, First National Bank, Pratt County Courthouse, Pratt Regional Medical Center, Scott and Hodges, Walmart, or the RSVP office.
At least one item of new clothing is expected; an outfit of shirt, pants and shoes is better. Sometimes volunteers are made aware that a child needs a warm coat, Brown said.
Gifts of toys and clothing should be made by Dec. 15 so volunteers can wrap and sort for distribution on Dec. 17.
Pratt, Kan. —
