TWO VIRGINIAS -In the Two Virginias, two stores that specialize in toys from the past are now working to help the area’s future by helping the kids whose families may be struggling this Christmas.
While separated by a state line, during the Christmas season, Welcome Back Kollectables in Tazewell and 80’s Toys in Princeton have the same goal: making sure all children in their communities have something to open on Christmas morning.
80’s Toys started their toy drive six years ago, letting families pick out new toys bought by the store or donated by its customers or the community. He only asks those in need of toys how many kids they have and their ages.
“Since we opened the store, I’ve always had a heart to give back to the community, and obviously during the holidays it’s a pinch for a lot of folks and a lot of people in our community fall through the cracks. So, it’s very important for me to make sure that they get, you know, that all kids have some kind of toy for Christmas,” says Matt Collins, the owner of 80’s Toys of Princeton.
And the store has made an impact, already helping give gifts to more than 360 kids this year, with the room of donated toys almost emptied out.
“I care for the kids of this community and… because I’m a local small business, I want to make sure that… the stuff stays local and that… we are able to help out the community because, like I said… I don’t want a kid to not wake up on Christmas Day and not have a toy,” says Collins.
Now, they aren’t alone, with Welcome Back Kollectables starting their own toy distribution in Virginia this year. The store’s owner, Larry Hayes, says the community has been good to him and inspired him to give back, with many families in need of help this holiday season, after accidents or losing jobs.
“ I just started thinking about everything and how blessed I am, and I couldn’t imagine a kid not getting nothing for Christmas. …My mom was a single parent growing up and she made sure I had a Christmas. Didn’t have a whole lot during the year, but she made sure I had a good Christmas, so I thought about that…” says Hayes.
Hayes has been buying all the toys himself, and has already had “quite a few” anonymously contact him in need of gifts. However, he is accepting help to meet this need.
“ There’s so many people you won’t believe and I don’t even imagine it, but so many people’s reached out to me and I’m doing my best to help any way I can. So, you know, if you feel like helping somebody, I’d say do it,” says Hayes.
You can help either of these stores by dropping off new, unwrapped gifts or contacting them on Facebook to find out more on how you can donate: Welcome Back Kollectables and 80’s Toys of Princeton, WV.
Both say they are in need of gifts for younger kids, with Hayes suggesting Squishmallows. Collins says he also accepts non-toy gifts like Bluetooth headphones and perfume for older kids and monetary donations as well.
Both will be giving gifts to families through Christmas Eve.
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