Burglary and natural disasters leave program in need of toys
Morgan Hill – There’s always a Grinch during the holiday season who tries to steal Christmas from those who need it most. Over Thanksgiving weekend the Toys for Tots warehouse housing all the toys for needy Santa Clara County children was broken into and many of the donated presents were stolen as well as the agency’s computer.
But that’s only part of the problem – according to Toys for Tots representatives, donations are down across the county, and the robbery has only set the organization back even further.
“I can honestly tell you it’s never been this bad,” said South County Toys for Tots committee member Gina Six Kudo. “This is the bottom of the barrel. Actually, I can see the bottom of the barrel … It’s just really bad.”
Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and provides donated toys for needy children. Last year, Toys for Tots pulled in 122,000 toys for Santa Clara County children. This year’s goal was 200,000 – however, they aren’t even halfway there with just 10 days until Christmas.
San Jose area’s Toys for Tots has capped their requests already because they can’t keep up with the demand, Six Kudo said. South County receives toys from the north, but this year their not all their requests can be filled.
Last year, 4,000 toys were distributed in South County. This year, the organization has capped requests at 3,500, despite the need for more than a 1,000 additional toys.
“We’re not going to look a child in the face and tell them there’s no toy for you,” Six Kudo explained. “Honestly, I think I can quote our shortage due to all the disasters this year starting with the tsunami. I think everybody is just capped.”
Toys are especially needed for girls ages 12 to 16, and children up to three years of age.
“We’re looking for toys in the $8 to $10 range,” she said.
At this point last year, South County had twice as many donations for Toys for Tots.
“Normally our office is overrun with toys,” Six Kudo said. “Right now we have seven or eight.”
The donation box at Cochrane Road Self-Storage in Morgan Hill is open 24 hours a day to collect toys for the needy.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to help out,” she said.
Donation Sites
– Gilroy: Fire stations, Chamber of Commerce, Charter Communications, Gilroy Foods, Coldwell Banker, City Hall, Gilroy Toyota, Pearl Izumi and KB Toy Outlet.
– Morgan Hill: BookSmart, Thinker Toys, Rosy’s at the Beach, fire stations, Chamber of Commerce, Lacerda Chiropractic, Community Chiropractic, MH Community Center, Coldwell Banker, United Academy of Martial Arts, Cochrane Road Self Storage and Heritage Bank.
The last day to donate is noon, Dec. 21
