Volunteers gather to sort out Toys for Tots

 

[December 10, 2022] 

Friday evening, several volunteers were on hand at the Lincoln rural Fire Protection District station to sort out the massive supply of toys donated to the local Toys for Tots drive this year.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon on Friday, Toys for Tots boxes had been collected and delivered to the space at the station provided by the LRFPD. Around 3 p.m. the sorting started, and within a couple of hours, the enormous number of toys that have been donated this year was obvious.

Tables were set up in the truck bays at the station. Each section was labeled as to the age range for the recipient, and when applicable the gender. There were toys and gifts available for boys and girls from infancy to pre-teen.

There were games, dolls, stuffed animals, toy trucks and other new unwrapped items for parents to choose from on Saturday.

Donna Gaydosh is the local coordinator for the Toys for Tots in Logan County. She said that she felt the supply this year was magnificent, and that thanks to the generosity of Logan County residents and several businesses and organizations, Logan County children were going to have a nice Christmas this year.

For those who are unaware, the Saturday distribution will begin with those who have pre-registered to receive toys. Gaydosh said those are always first, but by the middle of the afternoon, most of those pre-registered parents will have been served. Starting at 2 p.m., any Logan County resident who needs gifts for their children this Christmas season, may come in without a reservations and shop through the many tables of toys. Gaydosh said she felt confident that there would be more than enough to go around, so those who didn’t get the chance to register are welcome to come out and select toys on a first-come, first-served basis.

Among the many people helping to sort toys on Friday were members of the local Boy Scout Troop 102, Lincoln Rural Firefighters, members of Gaydosh’s church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, and other community members such as Tia Coyne, wife of local State Farm Agent Chris Coyne, and representing the Raymon Gonzales, the local Marine Corps League Toys for Tots coordinator.
 

The toy distribution will take place today (Saturday, December 10th) at the LRFPD station on North Postville Drive. If you did not pre-register, but have a need, you may visit the fire station after 2 p.m. today.

Gaydosh concluded saying this had been a great day and a great drive this year. She is excited about what she can help provide for families in need this year and every year. The Toys for Tots program makes it possible for families to enjoy the Christmas season, especially the children.

She added that when families are struggling, it is especially important to her and to all those who work with Toys for Tots, to do all that they can to help those families and make Christmas a little brighter for children throughout the community.

[Nila Smith]