OCALA, FL (352today.com) – As Christmas approaches, many charitable organizations are hoping you will open your hearts and wallets this season.
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program is among those asking for your generosity this giving season. Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.
In Marion County, Toys for Tots organizers say donations are down this year.
“This is the lowest I’ve seen in my 10 years of doing this,” said Patrick Joynt, Toys for Tots coordinator for Marion County.
On Saturday, Nov. 25, a group of students collected donations outside the Sam’s Club in Ocala. Joynt says their efforts yielded less than $1,000 during their six hours of appealing to shoppers.
“The young girls did a great job. They’re doing their part to make this a better world for families that don’t have so much,” Joynt said.
Last year in the Ocala area, Toys for Tots distributed more than 67,000 toys to more than 19,500 children.
Many groups are also doing their part by organizing fundraisers on behalf of Toys for Tots.
Passionate Paddlers
A group of passionate kayakers are among those stepping up or, in this case, paddling. A group that calls itself Kayak Junkies of Central Florida is hosting a Toys for Tots Paddle this Saturday, Dec. 2. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. Paddlers will get on the water at 11:15 a.m. (see flyer below)
The group asks you to bring an unwrapped gift or two. In exchange, they’ll give you an exclusive event sticker. This is the fourth year the group has organized the fundraiser.
Get Your Motor Running
On solid ground, Sierra Bravo Performance has organized a car show benefitting Toys for Tots.
It will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse located at 3015 SW 32nd Ave. The group’s post on Facebook indicates this is the first year for the event.
Fill the Railcars
From roads to rails, the local chapter of the North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA) is also getting involved. Members restore small railroad inspection cars known as “Speeders” and repurpose them to offer excursions around the country.
This time of the year, NARCOA uses the rail cars to collect toys. Locally, the group is holding an event on Sunday, Dec. 3. They’ll use 16 restored railroad cars over the Florida Northern Railroad and make three stops in the Ocala area to pick-up donations.
The Ocala stops are as follows on Sunday, Dec. 3:
9:00 a.m. – Ocala City Hall, SE Osceola Avenue at SE 2nd Street
9:30 a.m. – Railroad crossing on SE 36th Avenue, just south of SE Maricamp Rd.
12:30 p.m. – Former Amtrak depot on Magnolia Avenue
Bring new, unwrapped toys to help fill the railcars. Cash donations also accepted.
NARCOA says this will be the first time they’ve done this in central Florida, and they hope to make it an annual event.
Donate Online
Can’t make it to any of these events but still want to help? Make a tax-deductible donation online here. Joynt says using this link ensures your donation stays local and serves children in the 352.
