NORWICH – Those gathering in downtown Norwich Saturday to enjoy the annual “Parade of Lights” are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys with them.
Why?
Because there are over 1,600 kids in Chenango County who could use them this Christmas, local “Toys for Tots” volunteer Roger Barnhart says.
Barnhart, a long-time Marine Corps reservist who’s been involved with the toy drive for 22 years, said he knew there was a need locally, but never expected there would be 1,600 kids in Chenango County benefiting from Toys for Tots gifts last Christmas. He doesn’t expect that number to decrease this year.
“If you can imagine a child without a toy on Christmas, you can understand the need for Toys for Tots,” said Barnhart.
Toys for Tots gathers and distributes new, unwrapped toys – donated from the community at large – to needy children who otherwise might not receive presents on Christmas.
The volunteers will be collecting donations from the crowd Saturday night at the parade as they head down Broad Street in their “Toy Story Float.”
Toys for Tots will also be putting on a bottle and can drive Saturday, Dec. 1 at Kelly’s Kans on 6067 East River Road between Cummings Auto Machine and the Chenango Drug and Alcohol building in Norwich. Cans brought to Kelly’s that day will raise money to purchase any necessary toys as the campaign comes to a close. The volunteers will also be running the “Toy Story Float” again that night in the Sherburne Christmas Parade.
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