Local toy drives split operations

The Carson City area will have two toy charities to help put gifts under Christmas trees for local children, it was announced this week.

The Toys for Tots program has split from the Salvation Army this year to be run exclusively by local Marine Corps Reserves.

The move was a result of a national initiative by the Marine Corps program to place Toys for Tots under its own wing again to maintain accountability, said organizer David Wyble of the Silver State Detachment.

In the past, the Carson City Salvation Army Store operated Toys for Tots. This year, because of the pullout, the Salvation Army is running its own program called Toys of Joy.

Both organizations will be collecting new, still wrapped toys at several locations.

Toys for Tots will begin collecting toys Saturday. The blue barrels will placed at local retain outlets, banks and the Carson City Library.

Toys that are collected locally remain in the community, Wyble said. The local group will also get 30 cases or more of toys donated to its national organization to supplement the supply.

"Our main goal is to get a toy to that child who may not have one," Wyble said. Parents needing toys for their children will be able to call a local telephone number at the beginning of December to sign up. That number and the dates will be announced soon, he said.

Toys are also being collected for teens at Best Buy stores in coordination with Toys for Tots. The Toys for Teens program collects gifts for 12- to 15-year-olds from Nov. 10 to Dec. 15.

Last year Toys for Tots collected 4,998 toys and received another 2,020 gifts from the national foundation. Each child received three toys, Wyble said.

This year, the Nevada Railroad Museum will collect toys during its Santa Train Dec. 14 and 15. All who attend will ride free. The Carson City Library will take a donated toy as a payment for library fines owed.

The Salvation Army store will begin collecting donated toys Nov. 13. They will name a Toys of Joy shop as soon as they can find a location. The organization will start setting appointments for parents Nov. 1.

WHO TO CALL

Toys for Tots and Toys for Teens: 882-7864

Toys of Joy: 887-9120

TO DONATE

Toys for Tots

Carson City: Albertson's Super Store, K-Mart, Nevada Railroad Museum, Custom Office Supply, Carson City Library, Caldwell Bankers, Grocery Outlet, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Financial, Lowe's

Douglas County: Wal-Mart, All Fire Departments

Lyon County: Smith Supermarket, Dayton, Lyon County Public Library

The Salvation Army

Carson City: 661 Colorado St., U.S. Forest Service, Behavioral Health Services, Parkway Manor, Carson City Fire Dept. Stations.

Angel Tree Locations: Cal Fed Banking, Carson Catalina Apartments, Century 21, City Hall, Dr. D'Ascoli, First Presbyterian Church, Grandma Hatties, Greater Nevada Credit Union, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Wells Fargo Bank