Toys for Tots Requests
HOLDREGE – The Holdrege Optimist Club will once again be conducting the annual Toys for Tots program for children from birth to age 16 who might otherwise not receive a gift at Christmas. To be eligible, children must be residing with their parents or guardians in Holdrege or around the Holdrege area.
Due to the anticipated shortages and delayed shipping the program is starting earlier this year. Toys for Tots will be accepting applications from October 18th until November 19th. Applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Holdrege Public Library or at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Requests can also be mailed to the Holdrege Optimist Club at PO Box 444, Holdrege, Nebraska 68949
Once the gift requests are received, the Toys for Tots Committee makes ornaments with the children’s requests and places the ornament on trees located in Holdrege businesses. Patrons are asked to select a gift, purchase it and tape the ornament request on the gift and place it back under a tree. No names will be on the requests as each family is assigned a number in order to protect their privacy.
Donors are asked to NOT WRAP the gifts. The committee is planning an afternoon of wrapping all the gifts on December 12th with everyone welcome to help.
Donation envelopes will also be placed on the request trees. The Holdrege Optimist Club is a non-profit 501C3 that operates this program solely on donations. Last year with the help of the community, we were able to provide gifts to 55 Holdrege families consisting of 120 children.
Request trees will be located at the following businesses: Phelps Memorial Health Center, Family Medical Specialties, Orscheln’s, Bruning Bank, First State Bank and possibly other locations to be announced.
If you have any questions please contact Marge Melroy at 308-999-2161.