Hi all:

Forgive me, please, if this is too off-topic, but it was too sad to not move upon.

We are all familiar with the Toys for Tots annual drive to assist needy families. Well, here's our local situation: When four social service agencies arrived at the Toys for Tots distribution this week for their prearranged receipt of toys they learned that donations are so very low this year our local depot (adjacent to Pasadena High) will only have enough gifts to give to a few local families. About 800 children were represented by the four agencies that left empty handed. I've done some reading and learned that this is true nationwide, and not just for Toys for Tots. Salvation Army and many smaller local groups have seen donations plummet this year.

My friend works at the Childrens Bureau of Los Angeles, and was one of the people at the depot. Her agency has about 180 children coming to a party next Saturday. As of five minutes ago when I talked with her, she was lacking the following gifts:

20 boys ages 9-12
30 girls ages 9-12
36 boys ages 0-2
32 girls ages 0-2

That's 118 kids at just one agency.

If anyone feels inclined to buy a toy and bring it to my home, I'll get it to the Children's Bureau. I'm also happy to run by your house and pick a toy up. The agency asks that the toys be new, about $15 in value, and not clothing or overtly violent. If they are smaller toys that's okay; the agency will try to bundle a couple of smaller gifts to make things sorta even.

Even if you can't help here, please consider poking around to see where a need might be this season. So many of us are hurting, and things are tighter than they used to be. But maybe some food or a toy, or a donation. 'Tis the season, after all.

Give me a call if you'd like to drop by a gift or have me pick it up. My kids and I intend to play elves all week to fill those present needs.

marcia
626 993-5983

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