The Inter-Mountain file photo Toys for Tots Regional Coordinator Chris Lee and Youth Health Service Director of Business Operations Amanda Arbogast go through boxes during a past collection period for Toys for Tots. Toy collections boxes are currently set up at locations across the county and will be distributed on Dec. 22.

ELKINS — The local Toys for Tots campaign is currently seeking donations for this year’s toy distribution that will supply gifts for 501 children in Randolph County and 285 in Barbour County.

Even though children receiving gifts for this year’s campaign have already been selected, Toys for Tots is still collecting items that will be part of this year’s distribution, which is scheduled for Dec. 22. Collection boxes are currently set up at Walmart, Dollar General Store, and other locations across Randolph County.

“At this point, applications for families to apply are closed and right now we are focusing all of our attention on toy collection,” Toys for Tots Regional Coordinator Chris Lee told The Inter-Mountain. “All of the toys collected in our boxes in Randolph County are distributed to local children.

“The folks at Walmart and Dollar General have been so gracious to put the boxes close to check-out, so when folks are out there doing their shopping, if they think about us and want to help us put a smile on a child’s face at Christmas season, they can throw a toy in one of those boxes when they are walking out the door. It really does help so much.”

Collection boxes have also been placed at businesses and organizations across the county, many of whom are holding toy drives of their own for the program.

Other collection sites include: Big Timber Brewing, Clementine’s Cantina, Davis Medical Center, Elkins City Hall, Edward Jones, Elkins Physical Therapy, Elkins-Randolph County YMCA, Freedom Bank, Hair Graphics, Phil Gainer Community Center, Mountain Gymnastics Academy, Randolph County Senior Center, and Youth Health Service.

“We would not be able to successfully run this campaign without the help of all the businesses and individuals who help with the collection of toys,” Lee said. “Whether that’s through donating toys or dropping a check in the mail, everything helps out.

“Every bit of money raised during this year’s campaign goes directly toward buying toys for children in the county.”

The program, which serves children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old, is being overseen by the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission. And as in years past, the Elkins Police Department will once again be helping with the toy distribution at the Phil Gainer Center.

“It’s a blessing that we have such a community minded police department that contributes to this campaign every year,” Lee said.

“We could not successfully distribute safely to so many people and as efficiently as we do, without the Elkins Police Department’s help… Every year the community comes together and makes sure every kid in Randolph County gets a Christmas.”

For more information or to make a donation to the local Toys for Toys, visit Elkins-wv.toysfortots.org, or email Lee at chrisleewv@gmail.com.