CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Salvation Army of Charleston and the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots have teamed up to provide better assistance to families this holiday season.
“It’s kind of a win-win situation for both of us,” said Debbie Kingsbury, the associate area commander of the Salvation Army of Charleston. “The Salvation Army has been helping for 150 years with registering people and we felt that that would be a good way we could help them and then they have a lot of toys and they could help up with the toys.”
As financial situations have become difficult for many families, Kingsbury said the goal is to make sure children can experience the same joy everyone else experiences Christmas morning.
“That’s what we want to do is make sure as much as humanly possible that there’s not any child in this area that doesn’t have a couple toys under their tree for Christmas,” she said.
The community effort is something everyone can participate in whether it means donating a toy or money to buy toys, Kingsbury said.
“Everybody can help,” she said. “We have just found that since we moved here three years ago that this area is one of the most giving areas.”
Kinsbury said recipients are screened to verify need by looking over their incomes and expenses. The Salvation Army also coordinates with The United Way Christmas Bureau to avoid duplication of services.
Applications will be accepted at the Salvation Army in Charleston Oct. 19-23 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m.