The Jamestown Toys for Tots program is collecting donations of toys for less fortunate children at Christmas until Friday, Dec. 17, according to Sheila Ova, organizer of the program.
Toys for Tots became a national community action program in 1948 after all Marine Reserve Sites were directed to implement a Toys for Tots campaign, according to the Toys for Tots Foundation’s website . The goal for Marine Toys for Tots is to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy, the website says.
Toys for Tots is for families who are having financial difficulties so children do not go without a Christmas gift, Ova said. Ova reaches out to families in a 50-mile radius from Jamestown.
In 2020, the Jamestown Toys for Tots program helped 230 families and about 600 children, she said.
Toy drop boxes are located at Menards, R.M. Stoudt, Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC, Lloyds Toyota, Zimmerman’s Furniture, Unison Bank, Bank Forward, Wells Fargo Bank, all First Community Credit Union sites, Dacotah Bank, Valley Plains Equipment, Titan Machinery, Hugo’s Family Marketplace, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Cash Wise, Home of Economy, Dakota Central, Dr. Dawn’s Pet Stop, Eventide Jamestown, SMP Health - Ave Maria, Walmart, Two Rivers Activity Center, Anytime Fitness, Ameriprise Financial and AgCountry Farm Credit Services.
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Referral forms can be obtained at Jamestown Public Schools, Buffalo Bridges Human Service Zone in Jamestown or Valley City and Head Start in Jamestown.
Checks can be made out to Toys for Tots and mailed to: Sheila Ova, 216 9th Ave. SE, Jamestown, ND 58401.
Ova said locations that have money drop boxes include R.M. Stoudt, Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC, Dacotah Bank, Unison Bank, all First Community Credit Union sites in Jamestown and Zimmerman’s Furniture.
For more information or to fill out a referral, contact Ova at 701-952-3603.
