BLUEFIELD, W. Va. -With Toys for Tots setting up in the Mercer Mall, people lined up with the goal of fulfilling kids’ Christmas wishes. This is one of two locations distributing toys in our area, with another distribution location at the Welch Volunteer Fire Department to better reach those in McDowell County.
The local Toys for Tots coordinator, Charlie Smith, says, between the two locations, they hope to give gifts to more than seven hundred and fifty families. that means thousands of toys are going to children in our area.
“I’m seeing lots of smiles, lots of appreciation. It’s been a really hard year financially for many, many families all across the Two Virginias, and I hope this gives them a little joy during the Christmas season and gives their kids something fun to look forward to Christmas morning,” says Smith.
To help them on their mission during this event, Toys for Tots had help from people in the community, including from local schools and the Alorica in Bluefield. We spoke to Jordan Ruedi, a first time Toys for Tots volunteer, who says he plans to help here again and encourages others to join him.
“I always recommend people volunteer. I always recommend people help others. This world cannot survive without people helping each other…” says Ruedi.
Smith credits the people who gave toys and those who gave their time to bring Christmas joy to local kids… adding this can’t happen without volunteers.
For those registered to get gifts from Toys for Tots this year but did not pick them up Saturday, Smith says they will be holding other distribution events in the coming week. He says registered families should check their email for when those times will be and follow them on Facebook to keep up to date on announcements. He also encourages others to share follow and share those posts to help get the word out to the families.
Toys for Tots will begin next year’s campaign near February and March.
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