The outcome of 2023’s Gilmer Toys for Tots (TFT) campaign shows the degree to which the U.S. Marines-sponsored Christmas outreach effort has grown since starting here 14 years ago.
The 2023 TFT campaign served a total of 1,881 Gilmer County children, up from 2022 when 1,752 local kids received presents.
“We distributed 7,537 gift wrapped toys, 16,365 stocking stuffers and 1,073 books to Gilmer County children,” said Ret. Marine Sgt. A.J. LeCompte, Gilmer’s campaign coordinator. “We handed out toys every Monday for eight Mondays. The total cost of all distributed items for Christmas 2023 was $173,485.”
LeCompte said incoming applications for TFT assistance were steady after the campaign started in November, but they particularly ramped up the week before Christmas. With Christmas falling on a Monday, the local Toys for Tots team distributed presents until Saturday, Dec. 23.
“We didn’t expect it to be bigger than last year because, when we started filling the applications, it was below what we’d seen the previous year. As we got closer to Christmas and particularly the week before Christmas, it (got busier),” LeCompte said. “That last week before Christmas, we did (presents for) 162 families. It’s phenomenal that they were able to wrap that many toys in one week.”
The headquarters for the 2023 drive was on the upper floor of the Truist Bank building in East Ellijay. It was the first time on a second floor for the campaign, which moves often depending on available space. A ramp system was used to get the toys from the upper floor to volunteers, who waited below to load the bags.
“We had to find a way to get them downstairs as we realized the two separate staircases would be too much to go up and down,” LeCompte said. “The wood for the ramps was donated by Lowe’s. We dropped the ramp on the stairs and used plastic storage totes. We set the (bagged gifts) in the totes, and lowered them with a rope, and the volunteers on the lower level would send them down the next set of stairs. We were able to get the toys to the people waiting in a way that was (actually quicker) than going up and down the stairs.”
The local TFT effort has also grown in terms of the volunteers who donate their time and energy to make the campaign a success. LeCompte said 128 volunteers helped with gift wrapping and other tasks.
“We had more volunteers than we’ve had any other year. We also had the space this year to accommodate more volunteers,” he added.
LeCompte said the biggest challenge each year is securing a location to host the TFT campaign, which is already underway before the applications start to be accepted in October.
“It’s hard for us to find a space every year. That’s the biggest thing,” he added “We’ve agreed to conduct a 2024 Toys for Tots Campaign as long as we have a building to work out of. Our one-year lease at the Truist building ends in July 2024, and we’re hopeful to have this lease renewed for another year.”
Donation of toys, stocking stuffers and books are still being accepted at Truist Bank using two collection boxes in the lobby entrance on the second floor, LeCompte noted. Those donations will be used in the 2024 TFT campaign.