GIFT-WRAPPING IT UP
Gratiot Toys for Tots campaign nears completion for the season
Each year since John Hall took over as program coordinator of the Gratiot County Marine Toys for Tots program in 2018, the need has grown.
And 2021 is no exception. Last year, nearly 7,500 toys and gifts were distributed to more than 1,110 local youngsters for Christmas.
Those figures have increased insignificantly since Hall’s first year when 4,590 toys were given out to about 650 children.
However, by the looks of the storage space provided by Alma College in the city’s Opera House Block, no child will have to be concerned about being left out.
“It’s been nuts,” Hall said smiling. “The generosity of this county is amazing. Everybody wants to help and they do. I can’t thank them enough.”
Even with toy prices increasing, and some being hard to find due to supply chain disruptions, there should be plenty to go around.
The goal is to give every child a book, three toys and a family game, Hall said.
“Fortunately we’ve been able to exceed that in the past,” he noted.
Any toys left over are distributed to local charities such as Child Advocacy for further distribution.
So far this year 770 children have signed up for the program and Hall expects that number to rise substantially before the Friday, Dec. 10 registration deadline.
But even if parents are late getting their children signed up, Hall won’t let them go without.
“That’s what we’re here for,” he said. “That’s what we do.”
The campaign has received a number of major donations, including $5,000 in gift cards from Meijer, and large cash contributions from Ryan Smith of Gemini Capital Management and Garr Tool.
E&S Graphics in Ithaca printed more than 500 flyers that were sent home with local elementary school children for free, AB Publishing of Ithaca donated 200 books, the Alma Elks Lodge held a chili cookoff, Saravilla Bed & Breakfast in Alma hosted a “Tour for a Toy” event and Alma Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram donated a minivan for a month that Hall uses to collect and distribute toys.
He also mentioned the assistance provided by local banks, and the owners of Mancino’s and Ballyhoo Books, both in Alma, during the campaign.
In addition, several businesses located in the North Ithaca Industrial Park are having a contest to see who can collect the most toys.
Donation bins have been set up at over 30 locations through
So far this year 770 children have signed up for the program and Hall expects that number to rise substantially before the Friday, Dec. 10 registration deadline.
out the county where toys can be dropped off.
This year parents will once again be allowed to pick out their children’s gifts themselves, unlike 2020 when pandemic restrictions were in place and volunteers had to take their orders and bring the toys outside to them.
“It’s so much better to have the people inside shopping,” Hall said.
The toys will be displayed at the Central Michigan Youth for Christ complex, located at 2550 W. Cheesman Rd. in Alma. Distribution will take place from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15-17.
Parents can still sign up their child for the program on the Gratiot County Toys for Tots website.
Those who want to make a cash donation can drop it off at Treasurer’s, 111 W. Superior St. in downtown Alma.
Hall and his wife Dawn own the business but not for long.
They plan to retire and close up shop Dec. 10. The adjacent Ballyhoo Books will be expanding into that space converting it into an internet cafe and coffee house.
“That will give us more time to devote to Toys for Tots next year,” Hall said. “We hope to do a Christmas in July and expand our website to recognize our donors.
Other events and activities are also in the works to kick off next year’s campaign, which will begin Oct. 1, 2022.
“It’s kind of a challenge,” Hall, himself a retired 18year Marine Corp. veteran, said of coordinating the Toys for Tots program. “But it’s so gratifying. It’s my way to give back and celebrate Christmas.”
For more information email Gratiott4t@gmail. com or checkout its Facebook page.