Toys for Tots Serving Bucks, Montgomery Counties Seeks Donations, Volunteers

Just like Black Friday officially kicks off the holiday shopping season, so too the time after Thanksgiving starts the donation drive for Toys for Tots.

The Glenside Chapter of the nonprofit Toys for Tots opened its warehouse doors recently to share an insider’s look at what is involved in filling thousands of toy requests for Christmas. Volunteers sort incoming donations by age and gender and try to match up requests with items in stock.

Many of the toys lining the shelves, which are grouped in ages ranging from infants to kids ages 13, are surplus from the 2015 season, according to Guy Vogel, the chapter’s assistant coordinator. The chapter is inundated with gifts for the 3-5 years old age group, for both girls and boys. Other ages, like infants to age 2, for instance, as well as ages 6-8 and ages 9-11 years old, are in dire need of donations.

In 2015, the Glenside chapter, which serves children living in 50 communities in the lower western portion of Bucks County and eastern Montgomery County, donated toys to 12,362 children. The need has grown year-over-year in recent years, Vogel said.

The local Toys for Tots chapter’s biggest Christmas present for the 2016 season was its relocation to a 6,000-square-foot warehouse space equipped with loading docks and office space. Workspace Property Trust, which owns a business park in Horsham Township, Montgomery County, donated the space to the local arm of the national nonprofit organization.

Vogel, during the open house, thanked Workspace Property Trust, as well as local officials, including Horsham Township Councilman Tom Johnson, who was instrumental in connecting Vogel with Workspace Property Trust.

Mike Sweeney, a Workspace Property Trust representative, said the company made a “conscious decision” to help.

“We’re honored that we’re able to support worthwhile causes like this,” Sweeney said.

Vogel presented officials with plaques during the informal gathering.

“This is a great home and I’m hoping we’ll be here for a long time,” he said.

Helping Toys for Tots

Donations of new, unwrapped toys for kids up to age 13 can be dropped off at 103-109 Gibraltar Road, suite 109 or any Toys for Tots drop-off location. To find a drop-off location near you, visit http://glenside-pa.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx. The Glenside chapter of Toys for Tots is always in need of volunteers. Those interested can learn more and sign up on the Website.