Toys for Tots expects increased demand across region
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many families facing hard times, struggling to meet basic financial needs. With the holidays looming, that could increase demand for Toys for Tots.
But although the need is expected to be greater this year because of the pandemic, getting the job done is expected to be tougher because of health restrictions, according to a press release.
In 2019, prior to the pandemic and related economic struggles, the Marine Veterans of Fairfield County collected and distributed more than 30,000 unwrapped games, dolls, footballs, skateboards, and dozens of other types of toys and sports items.
Henry Norley of Ridgefield, a longtime member of the Marine organization and Coordinator of the Toys for Tots program, said the Marines must be careful in controlling distribution.
“It might seem easy to simply dump 30,000 toys into our area, but we need to assure they go to the neediest children,” Norley said. “We're very fortunate to work closely with a great group of fire and police chiefs, school and social services officials and church leaders to make sure this program works the way it should.”
This year, because of economic and health concerns, at least 10 percent more toys need to be donated and distributed, according to Ridgefield Marines. The towns for the Marines Veterans of Fairfield County Toys for Tots campaign program, according to its website are: Bethel, Wilton, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Ridgefield and Weston.
“Sometimes these are the only toys these kids get all year,” Norley said, “and that puts a huge responsibility on us and our partners to get it right.”
A full list of collection box locations can be searched by state and town at ToysForTots.org. All new, unwrapped toys, books, sporting good item or games are welcome. Here is a sampling of drop off locations in the region:
⏩ BETHEL: Donations in Bethel can be dropped off at Century 21, 2 Stony Hill Road #101; Ring's End Lumber, 9 Taylor Ave.; Sycamore Drive-In Restaurant, 282 Greenwood Ave.; and Wireless Zone, 128 Greenwood Ave.
⏩ BRANFORD: Donations can be dropped off at Ring's End Lumber, 25 East Industrial Road.
⏩ BROOKFIELD: Brookfield-area residents can drop off their donations at Ashley Homestore, 273 Federal Road; Defeo Manufacturing, 115 Commerce; Lazy Boy,18 Federal Road; Newbury Village on Federal Road; O'Connor's Public House, 317 Federal Road; Pizzeria Bello, 317 Federal Road, Unit E; and The Tile Shop, 18 Federal Road.
⏩ DANBURY: In Danbury, the donation drop off locations include, among other locations, the Center for Pediatric Medicine, 107 Newtown Road Suite 1D; Colonial Ford, 126 Federal Road; Colonial Mazda, 100 Federal Road; Colonial Subaru, 120 Federal Road; Danbury Dodge, 100 Federal Road; Danbury Hyundai, 100 Federal Road; Danbury Volkswagen, 29 Sugar Hollow Road; and Disney Store at the Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Ave.
⏩ DARIEN: Donations can be dropped off at Ring's End Lumber, 181 West Ave.
⏩ EAST HAVEN: The Vietnam Veterans Chapter 484 Firework Committee, joining forces with East Haven Fire Department Local 1205, will hold its annual Christmas Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6.
The toy drive drop-off, with curbside available, will take place in two locations: the East Haven Beach House located at the Town Beach on Cosey Beach Avenue and Coe Avenue; and Krauszer’s Convenience Store at Foxon Road and Mill Street. A donation box also will be located at the East Haven Stop & Shop at 370 Hemingway Ave.
⏩ EASTON: Easton Police are holding their annual stuff-a-cruiser for Toys for Tots Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at the Easton Library. The event will be a drive-through to limit social contact, with police officers taking donations of new, unwrapped toys from donors’ cars.
⏩ MILFORD: The Milford Professional Firefighters Association will collect Toys for Tots through Wednesday, Dec. 16. Toys may be dropped off at any Milford fire station or at any participating location.
⏩ NEW FAIRFIELD: In New Fairfield drop off locations include New Life Church, 1 Beaver Bog Road; New Fairfield Public Library, 2 Brush Hill Road; Stop & Shop, 25 State Route 39; and Webster Bank, 1 Brush Hill Road.
⏩ NEW MILFORD: Residents can drop off toys at Rings End, 140 Danbury Road and Club 24, 164 Danbury Road.
⏩ NEWTOWN: Some of the 10 locations are National Shooting Sports Foundation, 11 Mile High Road; Newtown Police Dept., 3 Main St.; and the Dodingtown Fire Dept., 55 Dodington Road.
⏩ NORWALK: Donations can be dropped off at Ring's End Lumber, 149 Westport Ave.
⏩ RIDGEFIELD: The Ridgefield drop off locations include Ace Tire, 861 Ethan Allen Hwy; Bissells Pharmacy, 23 Governor St.; Ridgefield Bank’s main office, 150 Danbury Road; and Ridgefield Fire Dept., 6 Catoonah St.
⏩ STRATFORD: Toys can be dropped off or shipped directly to Stratford Fire Headquarters, 2750 Main St., Stratford, CT. 06615, Attn: Toys for Tots
⏩ WILTON: There are 10 drop off locations in Wilton, including Cubesmart, 111 Danbury Road; Bruce Bennett Nissan, 978 Danbury Road; Wilton Fire Department, 236 Danbury Road; Rings End, 129 Danbury Road; and Starbucks, 21 River Road #100.
⏩ WESTON: Donations in Weston can be dropped off at the Police Department.