Toys for Tots volunteers are making their lists and checking them twice this week.
The organization is accepting applications for its Christmas toy drive. Any Beaufort County child under 12 years old is eligible to receive Christmas presents from the drive.
To register a child, visit the Beaufort/Hyde Partnership for Children’s website and fill out a short application. The applications are available in English or Spanish. Proof of age in the form of a birth certificate must be presented with the application — even if the child has received gifts from Toys for Tots in previous years.
Toys for Tots recipients do not participate in The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. The organizations cross-reference their lists to avoid duplication.
“We certainly don’t want to tax resources,” said Catherine Keech with the Beaufort/Hyde Partnership for Children.
Toys for Tots does not have income requirements or stringent rules.
“We’re the toys of last resort,” said Lisa Woolard, director of the partnership. “We don’t want any child to wake up and not have a toy under the tree.”
The organization started accepting applications Monday. Partnership employees said they had a line of parents waiting when they opened doors at 9 a.m.
“People think it is first come, first served, but it’s not,” Keech said.
She recommended people come in before Friday. Volunteers predicted another line on the final day to register.
Toys for Tots drop-off boxes have sprung up all over the county. Woolard had a few suggestions for those who plan to donate toys.
She asked that shoppers pay close attention to the ages listed on the toy boxes. There is usually a shortage of toys for the very young children and the older children on the list.
“We always need things for the very young children, like birth to 1 and 10 to 11,” Woolard said. “We want to make sure we give children toys they’re going to play with.”
The collection sites will be open until at least Dec. 13.
For those who hate to shop, donations may be sent to the Beaufort/Hyde Partnership (specify that the check is for Toys for Tots).
Beaufort/Hyde Partnership for Children is located at 979 Washington Square Mall. Applications will be accepted today through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 975-4647.