County’s Christmas Caring Pairs Up with Toys for Tots

Due to the current economic climate, the Department of Human Services expects to see an increase in the number of families requesting to participate in the Annual Christmas Caring Gift program. The U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots Program will be collaborating with Christmas Caring in St. Mary’s County in 2010. The Department of Human Services works with the Department of Social Services to screen and establish a database of eligible families.

Even though Toys for Tots is a national program, all toys collected in St. Mary's County will remain in St. Mary's County. Residents are invited to help deserving families in need--- contact the Dept of Human Services and volunteer to sponsor a child(ren) OR look for the Toys for Tots collection box at stores and establishments county-wide (and county govt buildings) and drop off a donated gift.

The Sponsoring option involves providing a specific gift for a child based on his or her request and is a personal way of giving and getting into the spirit of the holiday. Gifts can be toys, educational items and clothing. Toys collected at the Toys for Tots collection points will end up in the hands of a needy child on Christmas Day. Toys for Tots is for toys only, not clothing. Tax deductible monetary donations can be sent to the Toys for Tots Coordinator for St. Mary's County, Bruce Vanden Bos at 20440 Chingville Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Christmas caring is reaching out to all organizations providing help for families during the holiday season. Mike's Bikes is a program partner and will again be providing food baskets. If churches, businesses or schools are helping families specific to their organization, they are encouraged to contact the Department of Human Services to see if those families are already in the database, thus preventing a duplication of service. Call the Department of Human Services at 301-475-4200, ext, 1680 for more information.

Sign up to make a child’s wish come true by calling 301-475-4200, x1680; the Toys for Tots collection boxes are being distributed throughout the county now and collection sites at county government buildings will appear by Friday, November 5. To view a video appeal from Shaquille O’Neal about Toys for Tots, log on to http://www.toysfortots.org.