Lassen County’s Toys for Tots program is moving into high gear as we enter the holiday season and organizers are worried that a lack of fundraising activities, due to COVID-19 precautions, will severely limit the number of kids served by the program this year. Each year Toys for Tots collects both new toys and cash contributions at events like the Magical Country Christmas celebration in uptown. This year however, with most events cancelled, Toys for Tots is reaching out to the community for help.
“This year toys for tots is still working to make our program work,” explains Toys for Tots coordinator Terrie Ginder. “We have a plan that was approved by the Health Department.”
“We are working on other measures to still have fundraisers. We will still be able to have toy collection boxes and money jars in local businesses that are open.”
Local businesses that would like to help this year by putting out collection boxes can contact Ginder at 260-1222 between 9:00a.m. and 5:00p.m.
If you do not feel comfortable shopping for a gift yourself but would like to donate, you can mail a check Toys for Tots and volunteers will do the shopping.
“If you have a gift to donate but can’t get to a collection box, you may call our volunteers and we will make arrangements for you to safely drop it off or a volunteer to safely pick it up. If you would like to personally shop for a child/children from their wish list you can call us at the number listed below and we will set you up with the wish list, then make arrangements to drop it off or have it picked up.”
Currently, according to Ginder, they will be accepting 250 children into the program.
“As donations come in we will be adjusting this number,” she explains. “We know this is a trying and hard year on many family’s due to the Covid pandemic and as always we are going to work hard to help as many families as possible.”
All donations stay local and the non-profit agency only shops in local businesses and stores to purchase items for the program.
If applying to Toys for Tots for assistance this year you must be a resident of Lassen County, your child/children must live in your home in Lassen County, you will be asked to provide proof of residency in Lassen County with a utility bill and proof of the children’s date of birth. Click here to download an application.
“If you have any questions about the program please do not hesitate to call and ask. We are happy to guide you through the process and answer any questions.”
Lassen County Toys for Tots
P.O. Box 171
Susanville, Ca. 96130
530-260-1222
