by Caden Shows
This year’s Christmas will no doubt be different than those of the past. Due to COVID and the recent Creek Fire in the local community, there are many families struggling to make ends meet. Many people have lost their job or have had their hours cut or even have lost their homes because of the wildfires and do not have extra money to buy Christmas gifts this year. Therefore, the Toys for Tots drive is more important than ever this season to help bring joy to children and their families during these difficult times.
Minarets High School’s Toys for Tots drive is organized by volleyball coach Stacie Wold. According to Wold, information regarding the Toys for Tots program is sent out through social media and email for any families within the Minarets community who have children under 18 and are in need. Families then contact her and provide their information, such as name, age, and gender of the children in their family; from there, Wold forwards this information to Toys for Tots. The organization then gathers new, unwrapped toys and sends them to her. The toys are delivered to the families on Dec. 18, just before school is out for the winter break. As some may be embarrassed to receive help, the names of the families are left anonymous as a courtesy.
Due to the pandemic, Minarets was not able to store drop boxes at the school this year. However, according to Wold, people can still find drop box locations at many department store locations and at our close affiliate to our Minarets family, the Hub at Tesoro Viejo. Even though the last day to donate to the school’s Toys for Tots was Dec. 5, people can still collect toys in preparation for next year. The drive is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and help someone in need.
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