Make Christmas Brighter For A Needy Child By Supporting My 2010 Toys For Tots Holiday Drive
Legislative column from Assembly Minortiy Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua)
With the holiday season soon approaching, the financial pressure on struggling families will be greater than ever. According to
the Census Bureau, in 2009 there were a record 43.6 million Americans living in poverty, the most ever recorded in 51 years.
For some families hit hard by the recession, keeping food on the table and utilities on this winter will pose a serious challenge.
As a result, children could be forced to go without the holiday cheer we often take for granted.
TWO CHRISTMASES
Try to imagine the look on a child's face if they were to wake up Christmas morning and run out to the tree only to find no
presents underneath. Think how the child would forever remember that Christmas. Think how the parents would feel. Then think
how it would feel if it was your child. Now, imagine that same child's joyful expression when they wake up early Christmas
morning and see toys under the tree! When you can see the difference between these two Christmases, you can understand why
I am so proud to announce the kickoff of our 2010 Toys for Tots holiday drive.
SUPPORT TOYS FOR TOTS & MAKE A CHILD'S HOLIDAY WISH COME TRUE
From now until late December, I am again partnering with the United States Marine Corps Reserve in sponsoring a local Toys for
Tots collection drive. Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys at specific drop-off locations throughout November and December
and then distributes them as Christmas gifts to needy children across the community.
Toys for Tots distribution takes place mid to late December. Prior to that, individuals drop new, unwrapped toys in official
collection boxes at area businesses. Coordinators then pick up the toys and take them to designated warehouses where they are
sorted by age and gender. At Christmas, coordinators, with the help of local assistance agencies, church groups, and other
local organizations, help distribute the toys to less fortunate children in the community.
TOYS FOR TOTS: DELIVERING 188 MILLION SMILES ON CHRISTMAS MORNING
For the past 63 years, the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has distributed an incredible 400,000,000
toys to more than 188,000,000 needy children! This program has made the United States Marine Corps the unchallenged leader in
looking after less fortunate children during the holidays.
Over its 19 years in existence, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has also supported local toy collections with more than
81,300,000 toys valued at over $487 million. While last year's Toys for Tots holiday drive was a tremendous success, I am
hopeful this year we can raise the bar even higher by helping more children! In this tough economy, with record numbers
of New Yorkers still out of work and so many families financially struggling, the need for Toys for Tots is greater than ever.
LOCAL TOYS FOR TOTS DROPOFF LOCATIONS
Much like 2009, we have established several convenient drop-off locations for this year's Toys for Tots holiday drive. They
include the following:
Arby's Restaurant, located at 280 Hamilton Street, Geneva;
Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce, located at 113 S. Main Street, Canandaigua;
Seneca County Chamber, located at 2020 Seneca Falls Waterloo Rd., Seneca Falls (5 & 20);
Canandaigua VA, located at 400 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua; and
My Assembly District Office, located at 607 W. Washington Street, Geneva.
100% OF YOUR TOYS FOR TOTS DONATION GOES TO HELP A NEEDY CHILD
In challenging economic times like these, every dollar counts and the many requests for charitable giving may seem
overwhelming. There is so much need, so many families hurting, folks might wonder if their generosity can even make a difference.
Rest assured that when you give to Toys for Tots, 100 percent of your donation goes directly to local families and makes a
positive impact across our community. Whenever you drop off a new, unwrapped toy at one of the many local Toys for Tots
locations, you are guaranteed it will end up in a child's hands.
YOU CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE!
Every one of us can do our small part to ensure all children have an opportunity to enjoy this upcoming holiday season by donating
a new, unwrapped toy at one of the aforementioned Toys for Tots dropoff locations. With the continued support and generosity of
local families and our business community, Toys for Tots will make a positive difference in the life of a child by ensuring
Christmas 2010 is a holiday to remember.
Please join me in spreading the warmth and cheer of this Christmas season for local needy children by supporting my Toys for Tots
holiday drive. Whatever the donated toy's cost, the joy, smiles and happy memories it will bring to an underprivileged child are
truly priceless.
As always, constituents wishing to discuss this topic or any other state-related matter should contact my district office at
(315) 781-2030, or email me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.
You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and informational updates regarding state government and our
Assembly Minority Conference.