Toys for Tots to Begin 2012 P’ville Campaign Next Week
Toys For Tots Pleasantville is kicking off its annual toy collection starting on Monday, Nov. 19. The program invites the community to contribute new unwrapped gifts for those in need. The local collection will run through Monday, Jan. 6.
“This year, because of Sandy and it’s destruction, there will be a larger number of desperate parents trying to determine how to provide Christmas gifts for their Children,” explained Bill Grein, a retired U.S. Marine Corps major and vice president of Marine Toys For Tots Foundation, which administers local drives around the country. “We intend to be there for these unfortunate families. Why should the children who just lost everything lose their hope and belief in Santa as well?”
“The community responded very generously last year, donating over 800 toys to the Pleasantville campaign,” said Toys For Tots Pleasantville volunteer Christin Simon Ogryzlo. “Once again we would like to encourage people to spread holiday cheer to some of the more than 16 million children living in poverty in the United States.”
In cooperation with local restaurants and bars, Toys for Tots is also kicking off its second Toys For Tots Restaurant Weekend. During Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 22-25, four establishments will offer a special promotion with a $5 minimum donation: Batonnage Wine Bar Café (free small cheese platter), Foley’s Club Lounge (free drink), Haven (free glass of wine) and Mediterraneo (free serving of biscotti).
Various locations in the village will also have drop-off boxes where gifts can be brought. They are Coldstone Creamery; Foley’s Club Lounge; Jacob Burns Film Center Theater (Dec. 7-9 only); Key Foods; Mahopac National Bank; Mount Pleasant Public Library; Pleasantville Physical Therapy; Try & Buy; the office of Dr. Robert Balfour, DDS; and Tutor Time.
Many other stores accept cash donations and checks made out to “Toys For Tots.” Those include Mahopac National Bank, Pleasantville Cleaners and Pleasantville Pharmacy on Wheeler Avenue.
While the Toys For Tots program collects toys for children from birth to 18 years old, gifts for teenage boys and girls are at the top of the list, Ogryzlo said. The drive is also collecting non-toy items for newborns such as diapers, formula and cribs.
Toys For Tots Pleasantville shares fun facts and updates on box locations via its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/T4TPleasantville. Westchester County families in need of Christmas toys are asked to contact Lu Caldara, Toys For Tots Westchester Coordinator at LLC1@mclwestchester.org.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
