Nina’s Pizzeria and The Colonia will host the local fundraiser starting at 4:30, December 3, at the Colonia Theater, located at 35 South Broad Street in Norwich. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH - Nina’s Pizzeria and Restaurant and the Colonia Theater will host their annual dinner and movie fundraiser to benefit the Chenango County Toys for Tots.

The Colonia doors will open at 4:30 p.m., December 3, located at 35 South Broad Street in Norwich. Spaghetti dinner will be catered by Nina’s and served from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the movie,' The Polar Express'.

"We're asking everyone to wear pajamas, relax, enjoy, and when they get home, the kids will be ready for bed because school is the next day” said Nina’s employee, Lon Yerton.

Admission is $7 per person with a donation of an unwrapped toy per person. Children under five will eat for free; tickets at the door.

"We'll have a booth for family photos," Yerton said. "And Santa will be there for photos, it will be a lot of fun for everyone."

Yerton said he likes to have everybody contribute from various organizations and has asked the new incoming Mayor Robert Jeffries, Assemblyman Joe Angelino and the Deputy Assistant Chief of Police Matt Roberts to serve at least one meal to a table.

"They're going to serve some spaghetti, do some community service," said Yerton.

He said he believes every kid should experience Christmas and receive gifts and loves to see a smile on every kid's face.

"I'm glad there is no income level for this program," he said. "But I wish more people would apply, single mothers or low income families, but people just don't know about this. You don't have to do anything but provide proof of the age of the kids and come pick up your gifts."

To apply for the program, you can apply online through Toys for Tots or pick up an application at the Children's Home, under Terry Potter who is the organizer for Toys for Tots in Norwich.

Yerton said new unwrapped toys and monetary donations can also be dropped off in the bin at Nina’s. Checks can be made to Toys for Tots and are tax-deductible. Funds received will go toward shopping for toys.

Nina’s and the Colonia have hosted this annual event for ten years, with Nina’s providing dinner in the beginning and then shortly thereafter, Colonia providing the venue.

"It started out as just a dinner and then I incorporated a movie with NBT sponsoring it and they were glad to do it," he continued. "And the Barnes' offered the theater for it, so it was great." 

"We also have a generous donator that will cover any shortfall through a trust fund and help Chenango County kids with that," Yerton said.

Last year, he said they received $8,000 between toys and donations for local chapters.

Yerton is proud to work at Nina's for 30 years and said the owner Dave Shull is a community minded person that enjoys helping anyone in need with fundraising and Rich and Todd Barnes, Owners of Colonia Theater are such a big part of this fundraiser.

Tracy and Mindy Chawgo will once again donate the use of their bus to collect and transport the donated toys and are thrilled to be part of this giving holiday program.

“We’re so excited for this event, we can't wait,” said Mindy.

The Toys for Tots event is sponsored by the Colonia Theater and Nina’s Pizzeria Restaurant with NBT sponsoring the movie.