Toys for Tots in Jones County had their kickoff with the Marine Corps Detachment 970 at Ingles and Ace Hardware on Labor Day to help get donations for underprivileged children for Christmas in the county.
Shana Backus, the coordinator for Jones County Toys for Tots, said she’s excited to be able to help families again this year. She said the kickoff was something she looks forward to each year.
“The application for Toys for Tots will turn in Oct. 1 for families, and if anyone wants to be a collection site for toys they can go ahead and do that now,” she said. “Each year has presented its own problems for why we need Toys for Tots in Jones County, and this year we’ve seen how expensive things have gotten. Toys for Tots is going to be here for those families who are struggling with everyday expenses.”
She said Jones County has a large middle class of people, and the middle class is struggling with groceries and other expenses. She said with gas prices rising it is causing people to spend more money just to go to work, so she doesn’t want Jones County children to have to go without Christmas presents due to those financial problems.
“People should donate, because they can help families right here in their own community. Everything collected in Jones County, stays in Jones County. It’s good to donate and give back. Toys can be expensive, especially for those families with multiple children,” Backus said.
The coordinator said Toys for Tots usually get a lot of toy donations for younger children, but she said they are looking for donations for older children this year. She said the JROTC at the Jones County High School will be collecting toys again this year. She said they will be doing an early distribution sometime in November.
“Our community always steps up. Labor Day is always the start for our fundraiser, because we need to get things started. Everyone is always such a great help throughout this time to bring a little Christmas to these children,” Backus said.
She said if people want to volunteer to help pack bags to give toys to families, they can do so by going to the Toys for Tots website to sign up to be a volunteer. She said people should volunteer, because it’s a great way to show love for people in Jones County who need help.
Backus said Toys for Tots in Jones County will be giving away coloring books at the Not-So-Scary Grayberry Spectacular. She said they will also have a Cruise In with the Jones County Cruisers on Dec. 9 between Ingles and Magnolia State Bank. Admission into the event is one toy per person donated.
“I’m really grateful to help with Toys for Tots in our community to help families here,” she said. “There are a lot of families struggling to just put food on the table and pay their electric bills. It’s great to be able to tell them not to worry about Christmas and that we can help them.”
For those interested in donating, volunteering, becoming a toy drop off, or anything else with Toys for Tots in Jones County, visit https://gray-ga.toysfortots.org.
