Cavalcade of Christmas cheer: Toys for Sequim Kids brings presents to 350-plus children
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Once again, some special Sequim children will find toys, games, clothes and more in their stockings this Christmas thanks to Sequim Community Aid.
The volunteer, non-profit group’s Toys for Sequim Kids gave away donated presents for 352 children — 205 boys and 147 girls — in the Sequim School District boundaries on Dec. 12 at the Sequim Prairie Grange.
“We had an amazing turnout this year,” Sequim Community Aid President Kathy Suta said.
Donations poured in from across the community at giving trees, Clallam County Fire District 3’s Santa’s Toy and Food Fire Brigade, various blanket and throw drives, and others.
At the event, parents and guardians followed a volunteer elf to pick out a stuffed animal and two toys for each child along with a game, book and item of clothing. Each family receives a game and a throw or blanket.
Claude Cole, a helper for 20 years at Toys for Sequim Kids, said the group gave away 38 bicycles, the most in recent years. This year, Murrey’s Olympic Disposal donated 25 of the bikes that parents entered a drawing to win. By the end of the afternoon, winners were called and asked to pick up their bike.
Cole said he continues to volunteer because he enjoys doing it.
“I love helping the kids,” he said.
Suta said a lot of people help Toys for Sequim Kids in different ways. One Sequim man, who isn’t a big fan of presents at Christmas time, likes to buy two bike kits and build them and donate them to the event, Suta said.
Community members are also aware of children’s requests, she said.
“This year, there was a high request for LEGOs. We had four sets last year and around 30 this year,” Suta said. “We have a very generous community.”
Utility assistance requested
Along with Toys for Sequim Kids, Sequim Community Aid provides year-round help with utility and rent for those in need.
Suta said they’ve been swamped with requests in recent weeks and anticipate becoming worse as winter progresses.
Last year, demand grew so high the organization cut back from $200 to $150 in assistance, she said.
Donations are sought year-round and can be made via check to “Sequim Community Aid, P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA, 98382.” For utility assistance, leave the check’s memo line blank, and to donate to Toys for Sequim Kids, the memo line should state “toys.”
Call Sequim Community Aid at 681-3731 for assistance and/or to volunteer.
Community support
Several groups, agencies and businesses worked together to bring in items for babies to eighth graders.
They include: Murrey’s Olympic Disposal, Sequim Walmart, Clallam Co-Op Farm & Garden, Toys for Tots, YMCA of Sequim, Grocery Outlet, Anytime Fitness, Clallam County Fire District 3, Hurricane Coffee, Kiwanis Club of Sequim-Dungeness, Blue Mountain Baking Co., Oak Table, Starbucks, Sequim Prairie Grange, Blue Sky Realty, Sequim Radio Shack, Westside Pizza, Subway, Safeway, Brian’s Sporting Goods, Sequim High School Leadership class, Boy Scout troops 90 and 1103, and various clubs, realtors and citizens who contributed toys, blankets and throws.
