Community Aid seeks donations for Toys for Kids program

Grange hosts holiday event Dec. 9 for Sequim families

By Matthew Nash • November 18, 2020 1:30 am
Toys for Sequim Kids continues this year on Dec. 9 at the Sequim Prairie Grange, with masks required for volunteers and families. Toy and donation sites are setup at several Sequim locations. Last year, the event provided 411 children from 140 families in the Sequim area. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash
Toys for Sequim Kids continues this year on Dec. 9 at the Sequim Prairie Grange, with masks required for volunteers and families. Toy and donation sites are setup at several Sequim locations. Last year, the event provided 411 children from 140 families in the Sequim area. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash

Organizers for Sequim Community Aid plan to present Toys for Sequim Kids this December, in a time of need and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volunteers look to safely distribute toy donations under state guidelines for babies to children up to age 15 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Road.

Christmas trees with slips of paper requesting specific toys can be selected and dropped back off through Tuesday, Dec. 8, to:

• YMCA of Sequim, 610 N. Fifth Ave.

• JCPenney, 651 W. Washington St.

• Grocery Outlet, 1045 W. Washington St.

• The Co-Op Farm and Garden, 216 E. Washington St.

• Starbucks, 1095 W. Washington St.

In addition, people can donate blankets and warm clothing at Blue Sky Real Estate, 190 Priest Road, and Grocery Outlet through Dec. 8.

Last year, organizers said 411 children from 140 families received gifts.

Santa Brigade

Firefighters with Union Local 2933 and the Sequim Volunteers Association offer toy drop-off 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1-3 at Sequim Village Shopping Center, 651 W. Washington St. The fire truck will be set up with social distancing in place for safe drop-off and 6-foot selfie photos with Santa Claus, organizers said. The fire truck will not be traveling around neighborhoods this year.

Distribution

At Toys for Sequim Kids, a parent or guardian must show proof of residency in the Sequim School District and enter the names, ages and gender of their children.

An “elf” volunteer will escort the parent or guardian to the tables, with each child typically receiving a stuffed animal, two toys (one large, one small), an age-appropriate game, book and an item of clothing.

Each family receives a puzzle or game, an art or craft activity, and a throw or blanket. Families without a bike for a child can enter a drawing for one at the end of the day.

Volunteers are required to wear face masks and rubber gloves, and all family members must wear face masks. Only one parent/guardian can enter the grange for toy selection per family. No childcare is available.

Volunteers are needed to help with gift distribution, too; to help out as an elf or at a distribution table, call 360-681-3731.

Community Aid

For 73 years, the nonprofit, all-volunteer Sequim Community Aid has provided year-round help with utility and rent payments for those in need in the Sequim School District.

Monetary donations can be mailed to: Sequim Community Aid, P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA, 98382. Checks for Toys for Sequim Kids should state “toys” on the memo line.

To donate to the agency for utility assistance, leave the memo blank, organizers said.

Call Sequim Community Aid at 360-681-3731 for utility/rent assistance and/or to volunteer with Toys for Sequim kids.

This program is co-chaired by Jim Davis, Philomena Lund and Kathy Suta for Sequim Community Aid.