The Christmas season has officially launched as U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots boxes appear in businesses and agencies across the county, collecting toys for the less-fortunate children in the area.

“It reaches to children who a need a little extra lift for the Christmas holiday,” said Rich Morin, Beaufort County’s Toys for Tots coordinator.

In addition to the festive collection boxes making appearances, this week Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children is accepting applications for children under 12 years old from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday at the Partnership office. Applications are in English and Spanish, and the person submitting the completed application must present a birth certificate for each child listed on the application. To prevent duplication of services, those already signed up for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program or other similar Christmas lists are not eligible for Toys for Tots.

Last year, 1,496 children Beaufort, Hyde, Washington, Tyrrell and Pitt counties were served last year, with extra toys collected in Beaufort County dispersed to the other counties in need of more toys.

“I think that creates good will for the county among other areas where we do reach out and volunteer to help needy children,” Morin said.

Morin has been coordinating the program for about five years, along with the Partnership’s Lisa Woolard, who handles sign-up, and Mary Parker Egbert, who coordinates collection at St. Peter’s. Noon Rotary clubs in both Washington and Belhaven are charged with checking and emptying boxes as the toy dispersing date approaches on Dec. 15.

“The Noon Rotary are the workhorses in getting the boxes out and getting the toys to St. Peter’s,” Morin said.

So far, over 80 boxes have been places around the county, Morin said. Those who wish to contribute are asked to bring an unwrapped age-appropriate toy to the many drop-off points across the county. Toys will be collected from those locations on Dec. 11. 

 

COLLECTION SITES

The following are listed as collection sites by local Toys for Tots coordinators:

Aurora

Citizens on Southside Together

Bath

The Rich Company, Southern Bank, Bath True Value

Belhaven

First Bank, Wells Fargo, Southern Bank, TriCounty Telecom

Chocowinity

Raised in a Barn Farm, First South Bank, Edward Jones, Cypress Landing Yacht Club

Washington area

Apollos Steakhouse, Bath and Body Works, BHM Regional Library, Bloom Women’s Apparel, Century 21, Coldwell Banker Coastal River Realty, Eastern Radiology, First Bank, First South Bank (Carolina Avenue, Market Street and John Small Avenue locations), Fitness Unlimited, Inner Banks Artisans’ Center, Little Shoppes, Red Cross office, River Walk Gallery, Ruth’s House Antiques & More, Siegel Chiropractic Center, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Stewart’s Jewelry Store, The Meeting Place, University of Mount Olive, The Rich Company (West Main Street, Carolina Avenue), Beaufort County Arts Council at the Turnage Theater, Walgreens, WITN (at G.W. Walker & Sons), City of Washington (Police Department, Brown Library, City Warehouse, Fire Station Nos. 1 and 2), Vidant Wellness Center, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Jack’s Tavern at Fiddler’s Green, Life Outreach Ministries, Edward Jones, Yadkin Bank, East Coast Equipment Company, Grub Brothers, On the Waterfront, Pamlico Plantation clubhouse, Park Boats, Pecheles Toyota, Tractor Supply, Well Fargo (Market and Pamlico streets), Precision Eye Care, Walmart, Washington Yacht & County Club

Hyde County

Yadkin Bank (Swan Quarter, Fairfield and Engelhard), Credit Union (Swan Quarter)