Toys for Tots drive begins

CHENANGO COUNTY– Ensuring every child in the county is given an opportunity to share in the spirit of Christmas, local volunteers are getting started early this year to provide the public more chances to take part.

With the continuing increase in cost for some of people’s most basic needs, “Toys for Tots” sponsored by the United Sattes Marine Corps has provided its service to needy families since the late 1940s. Joining the effort years later was Roger Barnhart, a Chenango County resident. Barnhart says he has been involved one way or another since 1985, and as he heads into his 22nd year, he is now in charge of coordinating the effort for the county. “In years past, the Marines out of Syracuse would coordinate it for our area. This year we have the advantage of doing it ourselves,” said Barnhart.

For the past eight to nine years, The Label Gallery in Norwich has helped the effort and has joined forces with the local food pantry Roots and Wings so families can sign up for the service at the pantry and go to the pantry to pick up their gifts.