Many sponsors back Toys for Tots here

The Toys for Tots program wouldn’t get off the ground if it weren’t for all the donors. One anonymous couple donates a couple hundred dollars’ worth of toys every year. This year, Thrivent Financial out of Oakes, N.D., chipped in as well.

Other organizations donate time and materials. Dakota Rental Center lends Toys for Tots a trailer to transport gifts in, and RM Stoudt offers the use of a vehicle to bring back toys from Toys R Us, which also donates toys to the cause.

Conlin’s Furniture offers discounts for people who donate toys. The Jamestown Sertoma Club donates money.

The Anne Carlsen Center allows Coordinator Sheila Ova to use its gym for the toy selection, and on that day a wide array of local businesses provides food for the volunteers — Applebee’s, Pizza Ranch, Quizno’s, The Depot, Perkins Family Restaurant, Subway, Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Grizzly’s Grill N’ Saloon and Pepsi.

And 18 businesses serve as drop-off sites for the presents: Kmart, RM Stoudt, Lloyd’s Motors, Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC, Titan Machinery, Jamestown Implement, Conlin’s Furniture, Home of Economy, Newman Signs, White Drug Company, Hugo’s, First Community Credit Union, Eventide at Hi-Acres, Unison Bank, Perkins Family Restaurant, UPS Store, Dakota Central Telecommunications and Thrivent Financial of Oakes.

All toys need to be turned in by Friday.

Tags: toys for tots, local news, news, local