CLEARFIELD – Santa Claus and his cast of elves wish for some local help delivering presents to the unfortunate girls and boys, ages infant to 13 years old, in Clearfield County this year.
On behalf of the jolly fellow up north, Dick Provost, coordinator for the Clearfield County Toys for Tots program, hopes that community members will help him collect toys for the 11th year. He said all toys must be new and unwrapped and can be donated through Dec. 10 at drop-off locations throughout the county from Coalport to DuBois and everywhere in between.
“You name it, there is a toy (collection) box,” he said. Last year, he said the local Toys for Tots program distributed toys to 1,189 children across the county on behalf of Santa Claus. He said all donated monies and toys benefit local children.
According to him, Clearfield County Community Action will monitor which children are eligible for a toy. But he said “any” child who needs a toy will have one for Christmas.
Provost said they usually have the most need of toys for children who are infants to 2 years old and from 11 to 13 years old. He said most “hear Toys for Tots” and think “tots.”
However, he expressed more general concerns due to the present state of the economy. He said that they helped approximately 500 unfortunate children in Clearfield County in their first year.
He again pointed out last year’s figure of 1,189 children, noting the numbers of those who are in need have more than doubled. He said, “That’s a lot of need.”
Provost said he and his personal elves want to make sure those children know they aren’t forgotten. Although their gift isn’t ready and waiting to be torn open Christmas morning, he said “it sure beats not having a present at all.”
According to him, they will organize a committee who will contact each individual family. They then arrange for the toys to be distributed on dates from Dec. 11 – 18. He said his committee of elves will work longer if necessary and did so right up until Christmas Even last year.
This year, he said families will pick up their child’s toy at the former Erie Bearings building across from Swisher Concrete Products, Inc. between Clearfield and Curwensville.
For him, Provost said it’s “very difficult” to describe the feeling that comes with the Toys for Tots program. But he knows it’s all worth it to give a child a Christmas that they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Provost said that the Toys for Tots program is under the direction of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In Clearfield County, he said it’s coordinated by the Sergeant William L. Dixon Detachment Marine Corps League.
He said the Toys for Tots program was established in 1947 in California. He said it has presently grown from a few to more than 750 campaigns across the country.
For additional information about the program, please contact Dick Provost at 814-765-8643. All donations must be made payable to Toys for Tots and mailed to Clearfield County Toys for Tots, P.O. 221, Clearfield, PA 16830.