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ELKINS -- The local Toys for Tots campaign wrapped up their work for 2024 by distributing toys to families at the Phil Gainer Community Center on Friday.
The organization served 263 families -- including 660 children -- in Randolph County this year and also provided support to the Brownton Helping Hands Toy Drive in Barbour County, which distributed 110 Christmas gifts to children.
"This campaign is a huge undertaking that would not be possible if not for the businesses, organizations, and individuals in our community who buy into our mission every year," Toys for Tots Regional Coordinator Chris Lee told The Inter-Mountain. "Our mission is to put a smile on the faces of our local youth on Christmas morning by providing them with toys that they otherwise would not receive."
Collection boxes were placed at every Dollar General store in Randolph County, and also at the Elkins Walmart and Family Dollar. Toys were also collected from businesses and organizations who conducted their own toy drives for the campaign.
"I want to thank every person who placed a toy in a box while they were out shopping this year," Lee said. "Your generosity is a big part of the campaign's success."
Businesses and organizations who held drives include: Elkins Physical Therapy, Davis Medical Center, Randolph County Senior Center, Elkins City Hall, Youth Health Services, Hair Graphics, Phil Gainer Center, Mt. Vernon 4-H Club, MegsCorp Logistics, Freedom Bank, Buckhannon Toyota, Jen Kesling State Farm, Farm Credit of Virginia, Mountain Gymnastics Academy, Top Knot Hair, Elkins-Randolph County YMCA, Saint-Cobain, WDNE, and Ollie's Bargain Outlet.
"We collected approximately 4,000 toys, stocking stuffers and books this year to distribute to local children," Lee said. "Our service area really bought in and made it happen this year. The businesses and organizations that collected toys internally for donation played a gigantic role."
The Elkins Police Department handed out all the toys during the distribution event on Friday.
"I can't thank our boys in blue enough, they are an absolute pleasure to work with," Lee said. "We're lucky to have such a wonderful group of community-minded gentlemen throughout the ranks of our police department."
Lee said contributions can still be made to Toys for Tots via its website at elkins-wv-toysfortots.org. Donations can also be mailed to the Phil Gainer Community Center at 142 Robert E. Lee Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241. Checks can be made out to Elkins Toys for Tots.
"All funds collected and toys received go directly to our local campaign," Lee said. "Every single cent, dollar and toy goes toward toys in our region. This year's campaign may be completed, but now the work begins to raise funds for Christmas in 2024."
For more information about Toys for Tots and next year's campaign, call 304-591-1210.
"For most, the Christmas season brings feelings of joy, laughter and love, but that's not always the case for everybody," Lee said. "Every single person that contributed to this campaign in any single way is a purveyor of joy, laughter and love for families that need it most. We truly live in a wonderful and caring community."