Here are the items Toys for Tots hope to see more of this year
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POCATELLO — With the holiday season approaching and donations in full swing, Toys for Tots organizers hope to see more items donated that teenagers can enjoy.
Toys for Tots is a national nonprofit charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. It distributes new toys to economically disadvantaged children, ranging from newborns to 18-year-olds. The majority of the presents donated to the organization are geared towards children, and a few are items that teenagers can enjoy.
“Christmas is for everybody,” said Pamela Gorman, assistant coordinator for the Idaho Falls chapter. “It’s not just for the little kids. The older kids, they still need to be seen.”
Both Toys for Tots chapters in eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls and Southeast Idaho Toys for Tots would benefit from seeing more items donated that a kid 13 years and older would enjoy. Some of the most common toys that the two chapters see every year are Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, as well as Barbie and baby dolls.
“Teenagers are always our hardest to fill for,” said Melissa Hartman, the public information manager for the Southeast chapter.
Hartman says it’s often more more difficult and expensive to find a gift for teenagers.
When people are looking to donate an item for an older kid, but can’t think of any ideas, both chapters offer some examples of items that many teenagers would love to receive:
- Hygiene items or kits (must come in packaging)
- Sports balls and other sports equipment
- Fishing rods and other fishing gear
- Remote-controlled cars and planes
- Video games
- Make-up kits
- Blow dryers and curling irons
Both Gorman and Hartman spoke to the importance of reminding teenagers that they’re seen and cared for by their communities.
“We’re able to instill a chance of hope and brightness for those children, regardless of their age, so they know that somebody still cares. There’s a community out there who cares about you,” Hartman said.
“We don’t want them to feel like because they’ve reached a certain age that they’re forgotten,” Gorman said.
While people in eastern Idaho have until Dec. 1 to apply to receive a toy, people can donate all year by either going to an event for Toys for Tots or they can locate a donation box around town.