thedrifter
12-14-08, 06:38 AM
Caring people strive to make for brighter Christmas
By TONYA WIESER, Staff Reporter
Published: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 12:42 AM CST
ALLIANCE — Children from around Box Butte County will have a brighter Christmas this year thanks to some caring individuals.
The Marines Toys for Tots and Caring Alliance People, in Cooperation with McDonald’s in Alliance, sponsored a toy drive Saturday, and everyone that brought in a new toy received a free McDonald’s breakfast.
CAP President and Founder Delmar Smith said their organization has teamed up with the Marines Toys for Tots the past three years, averaging around 300 children throughout Box Butte County in need of toys for the holidays.
CAP involves seven members and is a nonprofit organization in the state designed to help families in times of need.
To be eligible for Christmas Toys for Tots Program, Smith said families are required to sign up and must have a certain income level.
He said the event has always been productive and, during the past three years, the Marines have done a tremendous job at making the program a success.
“In the past, we have always just relied on our toys for tots boxes distributed throughout town, and this is the first year we have teamed up with McDonald’s and it was a win-win situation for everyone,” Smith said. “It helped them out, helped the Marines out and most definitely helped us out.”
Alliance McDonald’s Owner Jason Richards said he wanted to help last year, but he was new to the area and didn’t know whom to contact.
“But I made sure I knew who to contact this year to help,” he said.
Richards added he actually stole the idea from his training days in Michigan because while he was there, they were involved with the toys for tots program offering the free breakfast with each new toy brought in.
“I not only thought it was a great idea, but it is for such a good cause,” Richards said. “Plus, I really enjoy the event and it is so rewarding, knowing that I was a part of giving a child Christmas they other wise may not have gotten.”
Toys were collected for children from newborns to 17 years old by a team of CAP members, volunteers and Marines.
According to www.toysfortots.org, the Marines Toys for Tots Program started in the 1940s by a Marine and his wife, as handmade toys were given to needy children by the couple and grew from there.
Through their program service the toy distribution is the process of obtaining and delivering toys to local Toys for Tots coordinators and providing the support and assistance those coordinators need to conduct effective toy collection and distribution campaigns in their communities. Toys are a combination of those purchased by the foundation and those donated.
From 1991 to 2005 alone, the foundation supplemented local toy collections with 64.5 million toys valued at $344 million.
Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Coordinator Jim Marshall of Cheyenne, Wyo., has been involved with the event for the past five years and said their branch covers a 850-square-mile radius serving Torrington, Pine Bluffs, Scottsbluff, Alliance and all the towns in between.
“Although everyone is encountering tough times, we are doing better than I anticipated,” Marshall said. “In fact, contributions are coming more from corporations this year.”
The whole process requires a lot of work involving 100 volunteers by the time all the toys are distributed, he added.
“Because the troops have been and are being sent overseas, we are relying much more on volunteers and local organizations,” Marshall said. “However, all the toys that are donated in each community stays in that community, and if they fall short, we assist with those Christmas wish list making sure every child receives a gift.”
YOU CAN HELP
Below are some organizations and events the community may participate in to make everyone’s holiday a little brighter.
The Great Plains District of the Boy Scouts of America are partnering with Panhandle Coop, KOTA Territory, and Affiliated Foods Midwest in doing a Care & Share Food Drive through Dec. 13. For more information, contact Susan Wiedeman, marketing director, Panhandle Coop, at (308) 630-5249 or (308) 641-1005.
Cirrus House will host a fundraiser/raffle through Wednesday, Dec. 17. Proceeds will go to the social program for upcoming events. For tickets, contact Kim, Bill or Pat at (308) 635-1488.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar is once again hosting the Tree of Hope. Participants will be able to choose a tag from the tree, purchase the gift and return it by the date on the back for delivery distribution.
First State Bank hosting Gift of Love 2008 including a coat drive; The Tree of Names deadline is Dec. 10, but they will accept new toy items through Dec. 13; and also on Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Scottsbluff First State Bank parking lot, will be the “Truck Full Of Love,” to be stuffed with food, toys and other items.
Ellie
By TONYA WIESER, Staff Reporter
Published: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 12:42 AM CST
ALLIANCE — Children from around Box Butte County will have a brighter Christmas this year thanks to some caring individuals.
The Marines Toys for Tots and Caring Alliance People, in Cooperation with McDonald’s in Alliance, sponsored a toy drive Saturday, and everyone that brought in a new toy received a free McDonald’s breakfast.
CAP President and Founder Delmar Smith said their organization has teamed up with the Marines Toys for Tots the past three years, averaging around 300 children throughout Box Butte County in need of toys for the holidays.
CAP involves seven members and is a nonprofit organization in the state designed to help families in times of need.
To be eligible for Christmas Toys for Tots Program, Smith said families are required to sign up and must have a certain income level.
He said the event has always been productive and, during the past three years, the Marines have done a tremendous job at making the program a success.
“In the past, we have always just relied on our toys for tots boxes distributed throughout town, and this is the first year we have teamed up with McDonald’s and it was a win-win situation for everyone,” Smith said. “It helped them out, helped the Marines out and most definitely helped us out.”
Alliance McDonald’s Owner Jason Richards said he wanted to help last year, but he was new to the area and didn’t know whom to contact.
“But I made sure I knew who to contact this year to help,” he said.
Richards added he actually stole the idea from his training days in Michigan because while he was there, they were involved with the toys for tots program offering the free breakfast with each new toy brought in.
“I not only thought it was a great idea, but it is for such a good cause,” Richards said. “Plus, I really enjoy the event and it is so rewarding, knowing that I was a part of giving a child Christmas they other wise may not have gotten.”
Toys were collected for children from newborns to 17 years old by a team of CAP members, volunteers and Marines.
According to www.toysfortots.org, the Marines Toys for Tots Program started in the 1940s by a Marine and his wife, as handmade toys were given to needy children by the couple and grew from there.
Through their program service the toy distribution is the process of obtaining and delivering toys to local Toys for Tots coordinators and providing the support and assistance those coordinators need to conduct effective toy collection and distribution campaigns in their communities. Toys are a combination of those purchased by the foundation and those donated.
From 1991 to 2005 alone, the foundation supplemented local toy collections with 64.5 million toys valued at $344 million.
Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Coordinator Jim Marshall of Cheyenne, Wyo., has been involved with the event for the past five years and said their branch covers a 850-square-mile radius serving Torrington, Pine Bluffs, Scottsbluff, Alliance and all the towns in between.
“Although everyone is encountering tough times, we are doing better than I anticipated,” Marshall said. “In fact, contributions are coming more from corporations this year.”
The whole process requires a lot of work involving 100 volunteers by the time all the toys are distributed, he added.
“Because the troops have been and are being sent overseas, we are relying much more on volunteers and local organizations,” Marshall said. “However, all the toys that are donated in each community stays in that community, and if they fall short, we assist with those Christmas wish list making sure every child receives a gift.”
YOU CAN HELP
Below are some organizations and events the community may participate in to make everyone’s holiday a little brighter.
The Great Plains District of the Boy Scouts of America are partnering with Panhandle Coop, KOTA Territory, and Affiliated Foods Midwest in doing a Care & Share Food Drive through Dec. 13. For more information, contact Susan Wiedeman, marketing director, Panhandle Coop, at (308) 630-5249 or (308) 641-1005.
Cirrus House will host a fundraiser/raffle through Wednesday, Dec. 17. Proceeds will go to the social program for upcoming events. For tickets, contact Kim, Bill or Pat at (308) 635-1488.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar is once again hosting the Tree of Hope. Participants will be able to choose a tag from the tree, purchase the gift and return it by the date on the back for delivery distribution.
First State Bank hosting Gift of Love 2008 including a coat drive; The Tree of Names deadline is Dec. 10, but they will accept new toy items through Dec. 13; and also on Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Scottsbluff First State Bank parking lot, will be the “Truck Full Of Love,” to be stuffed with food, toys and other items.
Ellie