Toys for Tots kicks off Nov. 26
<p>Volunteer Julia Mangan sorts games during her shift at the Toys for Tots staging area at the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue training center in Post Falls on Nov. 20, 2015.</p>
Toys for Tots is gearing up again, which means Kootenai County families have two and a half weeks to apply to get new toys for their kids.
Toys for Tots is a nonprofit organization that donates brand-new toys to children 12-years-old and younger whose families can’t afford to buy the toys themselves. To receive toys, families must sign up.
"I think it's really important, not only the books we give them, it's also very important we the community and parent give a little Christmas magic to the children, especially the littler ones," said Ron Bell, the coordinator for Toys for Tots in Kootenai County.
Registration starts Saturday, Nov. 26 and ends Wednesday, Dec. 14. Low-income families on public assistance, or who can prove a net income less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, are eligible for the Toys for Tots services.
Parent or guardian applicants must apply in person and provide verification of economic status and custody of child.
The request center is located at the American Legion Post at 1138 E. Poleline Ave., Post Falls. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Verification can be proof of current participation in any of the following programs: Medicaid, WIC, TAFI, Food Stamps, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income or Military Active Duty.
To prove custody, Toys for Tots recognizes birth certificates, Social Security cards, guardianship papers or an active Quest card.
For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.