The Toys for Tots is beginning its winter fundraiser in the greater Orlando area. The U.S. Marine Corps manages the toys. Its goal of the annual program is to help spread the joy and magic of the Christmas season to families by providing gifts for children who are less fortunate.
A quick trip to any store could provide meaningful gifts to children in need, brightening their Christmas. A growing population in the Orlando metropoitan area means a greater need for toys for the less fortunate.
“There is a big need, and it has been increasing in the past years,” said Christine Hempsted, guidance counselor and head of the Toys for Tots chapter at Trinity Prep.
This year, there are new initiatives to boost participation for Toys for Tots at Trinity.
“We put the competitions into the advisories in order to encourage participation for Toys for Tots and Canstruction,” Hempsted said. “We’ll have prizes for the advisory group who brings in the most cans or toys, but that’s not the important part. Obviously the most important part is bringing in toys for these kids.”
With innovations such as new contests, larger prizes and fun activities to incentivize donations, Trinity’s impact on the community could significantly improve. One problem with the drive is its place inconveniently after Canstruction.
Donations are always something Trinity can improve on. According to Hempsted, there are a lot of communities students are involved in. These organizations and communities include churches, synagogues and mosques that ask Trinity families for donations around the holidays.
It can become overwhelming at times with individuals asking for donations both inside and outside of school. Administrators and the school don’t want to overwhelm the student body with pressuring donations if they can’t donate items.
If it is financially viable for our student body, the Trinity community could unite to do greater good for people in need of Christmas presents for the holidays.
The age groups from birth to two and 12 – 15 years of age are often the most needing of gifts during the holidays.However, there are some contraband items the organization cannot accept.Items that cannot be given as gifts are weapons of any kind, army men, chemicals in science kits and food or candy.
Although the Toys for Tots chapter at Trinity doesn’t provide as much as our annual food drive Canstruction, Trinity still impacts the Orlando metropolitan area. Every donation, no matter how large or small, helps provide a child a magical Christmas experience.
“The more [items] we can give, … the more people will benefit from it,” Hempsted said.
