10/11/2023
Press Release
Gettysburg, PA – Every store you go to looks a lot like Halloween. Although some are ready for the man in the red suit, who flies through the sky in a sleigh, attached to reindeer with presents in a red bag.
Toys for Tots Adams Co/Hanover & Franklin Co has officially kicked off its toy drive for the 2023 season. Our local program aligned with the National Toys for Tots Foundation this year, which began October 1 and will run through the middle of December.
Potential donors can find Toys for Tots collection boxes at several businesses throughout the Adams County and Hanover Area, as well as Franklin County. Here is the link to the businesses that have boxes: https://gettysburg.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.aspx
Toys for Tots of Adams Co/Hanover & Franklin Co, Coordinator Christopher Bunty said, “the early start creates more time for donors to donate. We must distribute the toys a few weeks before Christmas, so the families have the enjoyment of wrapping the gifts for their children. Supporters said the toy drive makes a big difference in the lives of our youth”.
This year you will see Franklin County having a distribution for the first time in 2 years. In 2020, COVID 19 hit a lot of campaigns hard, and some didn’t recover. Franklin County was one of those campaigns. In 2021 & 2022, Adam Co/Hanover Area took the 30 to 40 families that would apply from Franklin County. No child should not have any gift under the tree, said Bunty.
This year, Franklin County will be covered by Robb Sell, an Army Veteran, who stepped up to assist Bunty. Without him stepping up to assist, we physically couldn’t take it on due to not having enough volunteers. Rob has a great group of volunteers and businesses he is working with, Bunty said. All donations stay in their respective areas.
We asked Bunty, after doing this for 13 years, what keeps him driven to continue doing this. “If I look back on my childhood, Christmas was magical. It’s something that sticks out. It’s something that made a difference in my life early on. Having that little bit of hope and joy, every Christmas coming down the steps looking under the Christmas tree. There are families out there who struggle to provide that. We’re here to help them with that. I am just a small part of making a difference right here in the community where I live.”
Toys for Tots has been delivering hope for 76 years. This is one of the longest ongoing organizations that gives away toys, books, games, and stocking stuffers during the Holiday season. Did you know this local Toys for Tots and many other Toys for Tots Campaigns help with Toys and Books all year long? Toys for Tots has had a literacy program since 2008 and is able to help during a fire/crisis and will donate toys and books. Our local campaign helped the United Way of Adams County with their Back 2 School Supply Drive this year, Bunty said. We did this through our Youth Ambassador program that was started this year in July he said.
After all, “Every Child Deserves a Little Christmas”.
Below is some important information:
If you like to volunteer for either area, please use this link to volunteer: https://gettysburg.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/local-volunteer-form.aspx
If you like to directly support this campaign, you may donate at this secure link: https://secure.toysfortots.org/a/donatelocalmobile?kiosk=true&fun_local_campaign_designation=PA-Gettysburg&scf_unit_code_supporter=PA-Gettysburg&fun_unit_location=PA-Gettysburg&campaign_code=PAGYBG&campaign_name=Gettysburg%20PA
If you or your family is in need of toys this Holiday season, please use this link: https://gettysburg.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx
Non-Profit Agencies and Organizations may use this link to apply: https://gettysburg.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx
Distribution dates are as follows:
Toy Distribution: Franklin County
Date: December 9, 2023
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Blondie's Tavern, 11737 Old Rte 16, Rouzerville, PA 17250
Toy Distribution: Adams County & Hanover
Date: December 16, 2023
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Where: New Oxford Middle School, 130 Berlin Rd, New Oxford, PA 17350
