While toy shopping for the annual Gilmer Toys for Tots campaign is done throughout the year, the 2021 campaign officially kicks off this month by starting to accept applications for assistance, as well as donations of toys and funding from the public.
Gilmer Toys for Tots coordinator Ret. U.S. Marines Sgt. A.J. LeCompte said the campaign will operate out of the same building as last year, the former Fresenius Kidney Care location at 941 Progress Road.
There will be an outside drop box at that location where applications for Toys for Tots assistance can be left, LeCompte confirmed.
“We will be taking applications and requests (there) 24/7, as well as at Faith, Hope and Charity (Recycle Store) and the Gilmer DFACS office, from Oct. 21-Dec. 17,” he said.
Beginning Oct. 18, toy donation boxes will be up at the local Bealls Outlet and Walmart stores, as well as TJ and Company Antiques on the downtown Ellijay square, LeCompte said.
Money donation jars are currently up at downtown businesses Cornerstone Cafe, TJ and Company, Cantaberry Restaurant and WhimZ Boutique. Monetary donations can also be made online at Ellijay.ga@ToysForTots.org.
LeCompte said he will be trying to place Toys for Tots orders with national wholesalers earlier than usual due to an expected shortage of available toys this Christmas. To do that, he will also have to use donated funds earlier than in previous years.
“We get toys from wholesalers at one-half to one-third of the retail cost, and they are shipped to us free of shipping charges,” he said.
To raise funding for this year’s campaign, Gilmer Toys for Tots will be raffling off three gift baskets that, altogether, feature $983 worth of merchandise and gift certificates donated by local businesses and individuals. Raffle tickets can be purchased till the first week of December.
LeCompte said he’ll be selling raffle tickets this weekend, Oct. 16-17, in front of TJ and Company. Tickets will also be available at the Toys for Tots headquarters on Progress Road Monday-Wednesday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Last year, 1,137 children in Gilmer County received more than 4,000 Christmas gifts and 7,800 stocking stuffers from the local Toys for Tots campaign. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a record number of children were served here in 2020, LeCompte noted.
“Toys for Tots does not have administrative costs, and all are volunteers. Ninety-eight cents out of each dollar donated buys toys for local children, and the other 2¢ goes to promotional materials,” he said.
Due to COVID protocols, Gilmer Toys for Tots will not be accepting walk-in volunteers for gift wrapping this year, LeCompte noted.
If someone wants to volunteer to gift wrap toys, they can call 678-668-6201 for details or to make an appointment to come in and wrap gifts, he added.