Year after year kids in our town who might not have any Christmas at all are treated to the gift of a toy for the holiday because of the hard work and dedication of the nice folks at Lassen County Search and Rescue and generous donations by the community.
The Toys for Tots organization consistently receives over 600 applications each season and gives toys to children as young as infants all the way through teens. Children receive toys, stocking stuffers, books, apples, oranges, candy canes and stuffed animals. Members of the community also serve as volunteers to help families load items to their car.
It’s a big job that the Search and Rescue team undertakes; organization of the event begins in September when the group mails out the applications, sets up business meetings and meets with different agencies.
In October they meet three to four times a week to further organize the program. From November 1st, until Christmas it is an everyday job checking boxes, receiving applications, holding meetings, drafting publicity, budgeting funds, shopping, organizing inventory, data entry and computer work.
The organization puts all the money donated back into local retailers during their shopping trips, something the team is very adamant about. This year the program spent over $6,000 with local retailers.
Thank you Search and Rescue for all the work you do and the kids you help to have a merry Christmas!
