Leatherstocking Corvette Club Officer at Large Dick Fleming, Chenango County Toys for Tots Coordinator Terry Potter, and Leatherstocking Corvette Club Secretary Sharon Fleming. For the past 20 years, members of the Leatherstocking Corvette Club have collected and donated a box full of toys to Toys for Tots. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The Chenango County chapter of Toys for Tots is collecting donations for the 2023 distribution of toys to local families.

Unwrapped toys can be left in donation boxes at several businesses and organizations throughout the county, or area residents can make their donation at the annual Nina’s Pizzeria and Colonia Theater Toys for Tots fundraiser.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6 at the Colonia Theater. Nina’s Pizzeria will provide a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and at 6:30 a screening of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be held.

Admission is $7 per person plus an unwrapped toy donation. Kids under five years old get in free.

Also during the fundraiser, local residents Mindy and Tracy Chawgo will once again be holding “Stuff the Bus” in front of the Colonia, where each year they try to fill their repurposed school bus with donated toys.

Chenango County Toys for Tots Coordinator Terry Potter said toys can be donated at collection boxes until December 15, when they will be picked up to be sorted and distributed. This year’s toy distribution will run from December 15 to 23 at St. Bart’s Parish Hall.

“Any of the toys collected here stay here in Chenango County,” Potter said.

He said while the community has always been good at identifying what’s needed, some items Toys for Tots is always looking for are toys and supplies for infants and toddlers, which always go quickly at the annual distribution.

“They're pretty in tune with what our needs are. We’re usually able to get a wide variety of toys that are able to help the families,” said Potter. “But I’d say the newborns and toddlers are pretty much in demand.”

Businesses and organizations who would like to have a donation box at their location can request one by calling 607-371-3618 or by visiting ToysforTots.org.

Those who would like to collect toys at the annual distribution can apply at Norwich-NY.ToysforTots.org. Potter said they are actively accepting applications, and so far have received around 300.

After applications are received and approved, families receiving toys can contact local Toys for Tots volunteers at 607-371-3618 to set up an appointment to pick out their toys.

“We ask people if they don’t get through the first time, please be patient. Everyone involved, we're all volunteers and we try to do the best that we can,” said Potter. “We have volunteers who are answering the phone throughout the day, and will schedule days and times for the families to come in and to pick up.”

Potter said each year they are usually able to help more than 1,200 children thanks to the generosity of the community and dedication of volunteers.

“There's no way we could do it without the volunteers and the community support, the business support, and the donations that we receive,” he said. “It’s a collective effort for sure.”

In addition to the efforts of the annual fundraiser, several other local businesses and organizations are supporting Toys for Tots.

The Leatherstocking Corvette Club has donated a box of toys to the organization for the 20th year in a row. Club Secretary Sharon Fleming said two members originally got the group to start donating to Toys for Tots.

“We had two members that were state troopers, and at that time that was what the state troopers did, the marines and everything,” she explained. “So they got us connected and of course they left, they moved away from the area, and we just continued it. Everybody enjoys giving to it.”

The Leatherstocking Corvette Club also donates to food pantries every year, choosing three in municipalities where their members live. This year they donated $300 to food pantries in Oneonta, Edmeston, and New Berlin.

“Toys for Tots appreciates the generosity of organizations like the Corvette Club that continue to donate toys to the children right here in Chenango County whose families need a little extra support during the Christmas season,” said Potter.

The City of Norwich Police Department also contributed by helping transport donations that came in on the Toys for Tots train in Bainbridge over the weekend, and the Chenango County Highway Department will be collecting donations next week at their annual toy drive.

To support the Chenango County Toys for Tots, make a donation at one of the collection boxes around the county, or visit Norwich-NY.ToysforTots.org to donate online.

More information on Toys for Tots can be found at ToysforTots.org.