Sequim Community Aid seeks toys for local children

By Matthew Nash • November 26, 2018 1:30 am
Last year, Toys for Sequim Kids helped bring toys to nearly 400 Sequim children, including Lori Seimer’s children. Here she looks for toys with Anne Notman, a volunteer with Sequim Community Aid in 2017. Donations continue through Dec. 10 around the community. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Last year, Toys for Sequim Kids helped bring toys to nearly 400 Sequim children, including Lori Seimer’s children. Here she looks for toys with Anne Notman, a volunteer with Sequim Community Aid in 2017. Donations continue through Dec. 10 around the community. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Volunteers with Sequim Community Aid seek community members’ support to keep its 70-year tradition the Toys for Sequim Kids giveaway going strong.

A nonprofit that provides year-round help with utility and rent for those in need, Sequim Community Aid distributes toys to families 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Road.

At the event, elves (volunteers) provide toys, blankets, clothes and more for babies to youths in eighth grade living within Sequim School District boundaries.

Last year, Toys for Sequim Kids provided support to 376 children — 203 boys, 173 girls — and 141 families overall.

How you can help

As always, it takes a mountain of effort from various community agencies:

• Clallam County Fire District 3’s main station at 323 N. Fifth Ave., serves as a drop-off location on weekdays.

• Christmas trees with slips of paper requesting specific toys can be selected and dropped back off through Monday, Dec. 10 at: Clallam Co-Op Farm and Garden, 216 E. Washington St.; YMCA of Sequim, 610 N. Fifth Ave., and Anytime Fitness, 10135 Old Olympic Highway.

Along with toys and games, Toys for Sequim Kids’ event offers blankets and throws for families.

• Boy Scout Troop 1103 hosts a blanket-throw drive from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Sequim Grocery Outlet. The following Saturday (Dec. 8), Boy Scout Troop 90 hosts a second blanket drive from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., also at Grocery Outlet.

How to participate

At Toys for Sequim Kids, parents must show proof of residency in the Sequim School District boundaries, sign their names, and provide the ages and gender of their children.

A volunteer “elf” will take the parent to gift tables for the selected tables for their children and help them select items.

Each child typically receives a stuffed animal plus two toys — one main gift and one smaller gift — and he/she may also receive an age-appropriate game, book and item of clothing. Each family receives a game and a throw or blanket.

Families may also enter a drawing to win a bicycle at the end of the event for their child if he/she doesn’t have a bicycle.

How to volunteer/ donate more

Organizers also seek volunteers for the event who enjoy being in a giving environment.

Call Sequim Community Aid at 360-681-3731 for assistance and/or to volunteer.

Monetary donations can be mailed to: Sequim Community Aid, P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA, 98382. Checks for Toys for Sequim Kids should state “toys” on the memo line. To donate to the agency for utility assistance, leave the memo blank, organizers said.

Toys for Sequim Kids is co-chaired by Jim Davis, Philomena Lund and Kathy Suta of Sequim Community Aid.