TOTS: COVID becomes a Grinch

Oct. 1 is the start of the 73rd National Marine Toys for Tots Campaign and is the 24th year of the campaign for the local Marine Corps League, Pappy Boyington Detachment No. 966.

Applications for families to receive toys through the program will be accepted Nov. 12 through Dec. 5. It is geared toward helping low-income families who are on public assistance and active duty military families. Families with a net income of less than 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are also eligible to participate in Toys for Tots.

Fundraising for toys and books is a year-round event for the League with gun shows, coffee wagon and the Birthday Ball. This year it has been off to a late start because of COVID-19. Fundraising is behind this time last year by $20,000. Toy supply chains are drying up from China due to COVID and the trade tariffs. This could cause a shortage of toys at the 120 Toys for Tots drop boxes around town this fall.

Toys were ordered in July based on last year’s numbers of kids receiving toys. The demand could be much higher this year. At this point, there is not enough funds to cover the cost of ordering more toys, which needs to be done now to get the toys by Christmas.

A number of Toys for Tots campaigns have been canceled this year around the country due to the inability to have fundraising because of COVID. Let’s not be one of them. I am hoping the people of Kootenai County will step up and help the Marine Corps League fill in this gap. You can help by donating to Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 261, Hayden, ID 83835. Every child deserves a Christmas.

DARRELL MAYER, coordinator

Kootenai County 2020 Marine Toys for Tots