Toys for Tots of Fannin County, headed by the Lake Blue Ridge Marine Corp Detachment #1438, and the thousand-plus children they serve need help.
Consider donating toys, money or time to help serve the organization’s cause.
New, unopened toys can be dropped off at any of their 45 drop-off sites in the county including the Fannin County Road Department, Fannin County Recreation Center, McCaysville Police Department and Blue Ridge United Methodist Church.
There will also be several fundraisers to help raise funds for toys including the following:
•Sunday, November 14, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Circuit World, 5425 Appalachian Highway in Blue Ridge, next to Taco Bell; a car show free to spectators; car registration is a $10 donation and collection boxes will be available; all proceeds benefit Toys for Tots.
•Friday, November 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stuff the Truck at Walmart in Blue Ridge, 97 Commerce Drive; deposit toys in the big truck.
•Friday, November 26, from noon until 5 p.m., Burgers & Brats at Grumpy Old Men Brewery, annual cookout by the marines with a silent auction, toy collection and live entertainment.
Please consider that toys for children three months old to two years old and toys for children ages 13 to 17 are always needed, according to Coordinator Cheryl Jordan.
Items like makeup, flat/curling irons, blow dryers, hygienic products, fleece blankets, and fishing rods and reels are commonly requested, she said.
Volunteers will be needed beginning November 3 through December 18 to help gather and bag toys.
Shifts will be for two hours from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Fannin County Family Connection.
“You don’t have to sign up, just show up,” Jordan said.
Volunteers will not work the week of Thanksgiving.
Last year, the local campaign collected 5,101 toys and distributed them to 1,086 children.
“I see my numbers still going up this year,” Jordan said, but she hopes to be able to provide at least five toys to each child.