ROSCOMMON COUNTY- Fifty-three Roscommon County area volunteers have been busy gathering toys for children in need of Christmas gifts. Parents and guardians need to apply by December 9, to have their child included in the program this year.
Applications may be picked up at the Department of Human Services (DHS) 715 S. Loxley Road, Houghton Lake. Or you can call 989-366-2300 or hop online at www.toysfortots.org and choose your county.
Parents or guardians must present a child’s school ID, child’s birth certificate, court documents, driver’s license, or utility bill when applying.
This year Toys for Tots recipients may be aged infant through eighteen, if those youths are still in school.
Suggested gifts for children fourteen and up are: sleeping bags, fishing gear, stocking caps, after shave, fingernail polish, personal grooming aids, hats and scarves, board games or other items those youths may need.
Bruce Bentley, county Toys for Tots Chairperson, noted that most think of the younger set, ages birth to five or six when purchasing toys however, there is a greater need for older children. Many times, the younger set may get 10-12 items and those six and up receive only four gifts.
In the case of multiple gifts, Bentley stated they do recommend parents keep some items in reserve for other occasions, such as birthdays.
Toy donations may be left at the various locations where the Toys for Tots boxes have been placed. Huntington Bank of Houghton Lake will also take financial donations. There are eighty Toys for Tots boxes at various stores around Roscommon County.
Saturday, December 7, Houghton Lake Walmart will host “Stuff the Blue Goose” from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The current estimate of children expected to receive toys is 900 for Roscommon County. In addition to the donated toys, the committee purchases additional items spending at least an additional $6,000 to this point.
The distribution of gifts will take place at the Houghton Lake VFW on Loxley Road from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on December 13, and 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. on December 14.
Parents and guardians are again reminded to apply by December 9 at 4 p.m. for their child to be included.
