Jacqueline Padzinski and Jessica Ferrell with Regions Bank are accepting toy donations for Toys for Tots for the ninth consecutive year.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has resulted in the shuttering of many charitable functions due to social distancing restrictions. This year’s Toys for Tots donation program is not one of them.
Once again this year, Regions Bank in Highlands is serving as a local drop off point for Toys for Tots.
Regions Bank, located at 161 Spring Street in Highlands is taking part in its ninth year. Bank staff will be accepting donations for toys through Dec. 15, according to Jessica Farrell.
“Anyone that would like to drop off an unwrapped toy can do so through December 15. We will deliver our toys to Franklin that week so they can be processed and delivered to area children in need,” Farrell said.
Farrell and co-worker Jacqueline Padzinski are coordinating collection efforts with Regions Bank this year. Padzinski said the donation traffic has been steady so far.
Those interested in making a donation of an unwrapped toy are welcome to stop by during normal business hours, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Dec. 15.
The Toys for Tots program started out in 1947 by Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks at the suggestion of his wife, Diane, who had been trying, without much success, to donate a Raggedy Ann doll for the holidays to the needy but couldn’t find an organization that would accept the gift.
At her suggestion, Hendricks gathered a group of local Marine reservists, including Lt. Colonel John Hampton, who coordinated and collected some 5,000 toys for local children that year from collection bins placed outside Warner Brothers movie theaters.
The Marine Toys for Tots Program distributes an average of 18 million toys to nearly 7 million less fortunate children annually.
Cashiers Insurance Agency is the official drop off location for Toys for Tots for Cashiers and southern Jackson County, said Toys for Tots local coordinator Sarah Morgan.
The office is located at 7 Lance Road in Cashiers next door to the Randevu restaurant. This is the second year for the Cashiers Insurance Agency to be involved locally with the Toys for Tots program.
“We got a late start this year as we just received our box last week,” Morgan said. “So, we’re kind of crunched for time. Last year was a great success and we’d like to see it continue this year.”
Donations are welcome during regular business hours, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though they do close an hour for lunch between 12 and 1 p.m.
“Donations must be an unwrapped, new toy of any kind,” Warren said. “Just knock on the door and wear a mask. All donations are welcome.”