Toys for Tots
The Holdrege Optimist Club will once again be conducting the annual Toys for Tots program for children in need from birth to seniors in high school 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 we are conducting this program much earlier this year. Toys for Tots will be accepting applications from November 1st until November 22nd. Applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Holdrege Public Library or at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church during normal working hours. You can also mail the requests to the Holdrege Optimist Club at PO Box 444, Holdrege, Nebraska 68949
Once the gift requests are received, the Toys for Tots Committee will make ornaments with the child’s request and place these ornament requests 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 anonymity.
Again this year we are asking that you DO NOT WRAP the gifts. We are planning on having an afternoon of wrapping all gifts for the children on December 17th at the city auditorium from 1:00 – 4:00 with everyone welcome to help. Please check out our Face book page: Holdrege Optimist Club for more announcements.
Donation envelopes will also be placed on the request trees. The Holdrege Optimist Club is a non-profit 501C3 all volunteer organization that operates all their programs solely on donations. Last year with the help of the community, Toys for Tots were able to provide gifts to 50 Holdrege area families consisting of 120 children. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, these children had a much brighter Christmas!
Request trees will be located at the following businesses: Phelps Memorial Health Center, Family Medical Specialties, Tractor Supply, Bruning Bank, First State Bank of Holdrege, 4th Avenue Coffee, Viaero Wireless and other locations to be announced.
You can also donate thru Give2Grow now thru November 16th with the Phelps County Community Foundation. At www.give2growphelps.org click on Holdrege Optimist Club and then you can make a memo for “Toys for Tots”. You can also mail your donation to PCCF, 424 Garfield, with your donation dated 11/16 or use any bank drive thru in Phelps County to drop off your donation. Remember all donations help us continue programs for the youth in the community.
If you have any questions please contact Marge Melroy at 308-999-2161. Your continued help and support is so appreciated.