Beech Tree News Network

Through the Morgantown Mission,  Family Resource Center, and the Youth Services Center, Toys for Tots facilitated Christmas arrangements for almost 238 children in Butler County.  To participate in the Toys for Tots parents/caregiver had to participate in 3 enrichment opportunities to earn toys for their family.  The Butler County program changed requirements this year and modeled the changes after successful Christmas Assistance programs in surrounding communities. 

Parents and caregivers had several options to choose from to meet the new requirements.  Some of the options this year were as follows:  Story Hour at the BC Public Library, the BC Art Guild Chalk Art Fair, free family admission to the BCHS family night football game, Internet Safety class at BCMS, Money Management at Morgantown Bank and Trust, Snap-Ed Nutrition Classes with BC Extension, Parent Teacher Conferences, ELL Family Night, BCMS Family Night, The Born Learning Academy and Parent Resiliency classes with Lina Tyree.  A total of 6 volunteer hours also qualified families for Toys for Tots this year.  Parents and caregivers volunteered their time at the Morgantown Mission, Morgantown Elementary, and North Butler Elementary.  At last count over 150 hours of volunteer service were donated to the Morgantown Mission this year by Toys for Tots families.

Collaboration with Toys for Tots made Butler County eligible to receive a shipment of toys, books, and some batteries.  Janel Doyle, the Regional Toys for Tots Director, delivered the items and was on hand on Thursday as participants shopped.

“Butler County is one of the top counties in the area with donations to Toys for Tots,” said Doyle.

Also in attendance was Tom Harris, Marine Corps League, with Private Coomer and Corporal Jones to assist.

Several churches, businesses, and individuals made monetary donations to meet the toy count required for the event.

Each parent or caregiver has a chance to shop for two age-appropriate toys per child when they come to Butler County Toys for Tots. After the toys had been selected parents or caregivers were then able to choose one pair of shoes per child.

Churches and individuals donated board games.  Every family chose one board game to take home.

The Butler County Knitters and the United Methodist Women donated an extensive selection of hats, scarfs, and mittens.  Everyone was able to shop for a warm winter item.

The last stop for families was the stocking stuffer table.  There were enough stocking stuffers to allow two per child.

Before they left the volunteers, mark all gifts TFT (Toys for Tots) and wrap them.  Warren RECC volunteers graciously carried bags of gifts to the car for the families and assisted with parking.

Arranged sponsorships included:

The Morgantown City Police took kids shopping.

 The VFW Auxiliary had an Angel Tree.

Butler County Sherriff Ward sponsored children.

Food and Hygiene items were donated by individuals to our centers and delivered to homes last week by BC FRYSC staff to help families feed their kids over Christmas break while they are home from school.

 "Butler County is certainly a special place, the generosity of the community is enormous.  There will be 238 kids on Christmas morning who will have toys under their tree this year only because the people of Butler County care so deeply about the kids in this community and make Toys for Tots a success year after year,"said Melissa Glass, Family Resource Director.