Toys for Tots helps 372 children in Harrison County

Toys for Tots is a national organization that helps provide toys to families in need during the holiday season. In Harrison County, the Ohio Oil and Gas Association partnered with Williams Energy in Harrison to distribute toys from the firehall in Scio.

Distribution began at noon Dec. 9, with a line out the door. Volunteers helped purchase toys at the New Philadelphia Walmart a week ago where they spent about $75,000. They then helped unload trucks, set up tables and sort the toys into categories.

OOGA Director of External Affairs Mike Chadsey has been helping out for the last 13 years. “I’ve really gotten to know all these folks and we’re so blessed to be a blessing.”

“It’s important for us to give back to the community,” said Williams Energy Community and Project Outreach Specialist Maggie Wallen. Williams Energy donated $5,000 and provided most of the volunteers for the day.

Families pre-register or walk in the day of the event. They can pick out three gifts per child. Volunteers walk with each family to help carry toys in big blue bags. There are no income requirements to participate in the program.

Because of the tax-exempt nature of the organization, when toys are purchased with donated funds, each individual item cannot exceed $25 in price. This can be limiting when trying to purchase items for older kids, so they rely heavily on individual donations.

“It’s easy to buy a stuffed animal or a toy that blinks, but what we struggle with is kids 10 and older,” Chadsey said. “We can buy a Mickey toy for $15, but the challenge is to fit an older kid’s interest in that $25 price range.”

“Single-serve coffee makers are something this year that teens have been interested in,” Wallen said. She encouraged people donating to think outside the box when choosing what to give.

Popular teen items that are difficult to purchase include makeup and skincare items for girls and outdoor and sports equipment for boys.

“Our employees live and work in the area, so it’s important to us that we be good neighbors,” Wallen said.

A total of 179 families went through the firehall, representing 372 children being helped. At the end of the day, volunteers packed up all the toys that will be taken to the next county as they spread holiday cheer this season.