WEST CHESTER (Noviembre 22, 2021) – Residents, businesses, and families who wish to give back to children and families in need this holiday season can donate to Toys for Tots of Chester and Southern Montgomery Counties via a drop box located at the district office of state Senator Carolyn Comitta.

Now through Diciembre 15th, new and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the atrium of 17 East Gay Street in downtown West Chester. The office is open during regular business hours, Lunes through Viernes, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents can also stop by one of Senator Comitta’s mobile/senior outreach offices to drop off their donations.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy and magic of the holiday season,” state Senator Carolyn Comitta said. “For nearly 75 years, Toys for Tots and its volunteers, and donors have been working to make that happen. This year, I am again thrilled to support their efforts. The season of gift-giving is here, and I thank everyone who helps spread the cheer to those in need.”

In addition, donations are accepted and encouraged at any number of Toys for Tots collection sites throughout the area. To find a collection site, visit https://chester-county-pa.toysfortots.org/

Donations may include new and unwrapped toys such as:

  • Dolls/Barbies
  • Stuffed animals
  • Art, Jewelry, Nail and Craft Kits
  • Board games/Puzzles
  • Action figures
  • Radio control cars/trucks
  • Hand-held electronics
  • Sporting goods
  • Books
  • STEM Science kids
  • Legos

This year, so far, Toys for Tots of Chester and Southern Montgomery Counties has received applications for nearly 15,000 children. In addition to providing gifts for younger children, the group also collects and distributes holiday gifts to young people and teens up to 18 years old.

In fact, according to organizers, gifts for older children and teens, including those between ages 8 and 10 and 10 and up, tend to be needed. To close the gap, the organization often utilizes donated funds to purchase age-appropriate gifts for them, such as books, games, makeup and nail polish sets, inexpensive (but not gaudy) jewelry, cologne and perfume sets, and electronics like LED lights and Blue-tooth headphones.

While toy and gift donations for all ages are appreciated, organizers also ask that supporters not donate clothes as they cannot distribute them and must be passed along to other appropriate local agencies.

Toys for Tots of Chester and Southern Montgomery Counties serves all of Chester County, as well as a small portion of Montgomery County centered on Norristown that is not covered by another campaign.

According to its website, last year the group collected and distributed 20,161 toys to 10,227 children.

Since 1947, Toys for Tots distributes toys to children from homes that cannot afford to buy gifts for the holidays. In that time 604 million toys have been collected and distributed to 272 million children.

The program is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve Foundation. According to its website, it remains a top-rated charity, with more than 97 percent of donations going directly to its mission of providing toys, books, and other gifts children in need. The 3 percent spent on support principally covers fundraising expenses — not one donated dollar goes to salaries or any other manpower costs.