Broome County Toys for Tots Prepares for Holiday Season

Halloween may have been getting all the attention of children lately but a group led by local law enforcement agencies is getting set for the next favorite holiday of kids.   

Broome County Toys for Tots is preparing its headquarters at the former Payless Shoes Store at Oakdale Commons on Harry L. Drive to accept applications, take in new toy and cash donations, coordinate gifts and get ready for holiday distribution in the upcoming weeks.

While most families are considering plans past Halloween for Thanksgiving before concentrating on Christmas, the local Toys for Tots program has a lot to do in the next month. 

The sign up for families needing toys for the holidays will start November 28. 

The Broome County Toys for Tots is not to be confused with a national effort operated by the Marine Corps league. 

The Broome County program has been operated by Broome County police agencies and volunteers since 1962.  All toy and monetary donations collected through the local program stays in Broome County and are distributed to Broome County families.  Other programs may take donations and spread them through a larger distribution network that could even expand beyond the borders of New York State. 

The sign-up for families runs from November 28 to December 10. 

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The Toys for Tots headquarters will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a-m to 12 p-m and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.  There will be extended hours for sign-ups on Wednesday, November 30 and December 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Donations can be dropped off during the hours of operation through December 19.  Donation barrels will also be located at the Binghamton Police Department, Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Endicott Police Department, Johnson City Police Department, Vestal Police Department and participating businesses and other locations in Broome County. 

In order to qualify to receive toys, you must be a Broome County resident and provide documentation to prove address, must provide a birth certificate for each child, if you are not the parent you must provide family court custody documents, provide photo identification and children getting toys must be between the ages of one and ten years. 

Toys for Tots is not available for residents who are signed up a the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities.

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