Toys for Tots teams up with R’land library
Despite 2020 being a challenging year for everyone due to COVID-19, the Madison County Library System is participating in Toys for Tots to make sure this holiday season is still memorable for the kids.
Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 by the United States Marine Corps Reserve with the help of dedicated community volunteers. Just last year, Toys for Tots distributed 18.6 million toys to 7.3 million children in need.
“Mississippians have been affected just like everyone else, and we now more than ever have to remember the importance of giving and that life has challenges,” said Peter Dean, manager of the Ridgeland Branch of the Madison County Library System. “We still want to support our children and keep things as normal as possible.”
Dean said that like many libraries, the Ridgeland Public Library had to change their procedures to keep everyone safe, but he still encourages people to come by and drop off their gifts in the Toys for Tots box located in the library lobby.
“The best thing for people to do is come to the entrance, ring the doorbell, and announce they’ve come to contribute to Toys for Tots,” he said. “One of us will take any gifts they bring, and we’ll put it in the box.”
Dean noted that while a lot of things have changed this year, the Ridgeland Public Library is still here to support families.
“We have online story time on our website for the kids and we’re still checking out books,” he said. “If there’s a way for us to support your kids, please give us a call.”
Teresa Gerald, president of the Friends of the Ridgeland Library Group, has been affiliated with Toys for Tots since last year. The Friends group raises money for various projects at the library and are huge supporters of Toys for Tots.
“We’re pleased that the library was able to open back up even with limited access so we could help with the project,” Gerald said. “Along with toys, Toys for Tots is also accepting books for children to read.”
Gerald said Toys for Tots is something great for the community since the pandemic has made a big economic impact, and any help for the kids is greatly appreciated.
“We just want to remind people to pick up an extra toy and book when they’re out Christmas shopping this year and drop it off at the library,” she said. “We didn’t know how things would be this year, but Peter Dean and his boss Tonja Johnson said it was important and made it work.”
Gerald said the library employees are making sure to sanitize all the toys and books before putting them in the box so the items are safe and clean for when they’re picked up to be given out.
“It’s a good system and all kudos go to Peter and his staff,” she said. “They’re on the front lines getting the hard work done.”
Executive Director of the Madison County Library System, Tonja Johnson, said a big part of the library’s mission is giving back to the community.
“We’ve partnered with Toys for Tots for several years, and our patrons are very generous,” Johnson said. “We’re seeing needs increase due to the pandemic, since people have been out of work and lost their jobs. We want to do anything to make things easier for people, especially children.”
Johnson said finding out ways for people to drop off toys at the library while feeling safe has definitely been a challenge, but she will do whatever she can to make sure everyone is comfortable.
“Patrons can drop their toys off through curbside service if they are not comfortable coming into the building,” she said. “We have it where they can stay in their car, or be in and out of the library in a matter of minutes.”
Johnson feels that for those receiving the gifts, it’s a very important time for people to know their friends and fellow community members are supporting them, and for those giving, it’s a way to see how they can serve their neighbors and community in a thoughtful and easy way.
“We’ve just gotten started, and we’re hoping once November hits, people will really get into the holiday spirit and give,” she said. “It’s so important for kids to own books and have reading material. It increases a child’s literacy and encourages them to be lifelong readers.”
The Ridgeland Public Library and the Madison County Library System will be accepting Toys for Tots gifts until December 10. To alert the library about a gift drop-off, use the front door intercom or call the library at 601-856-4536. For more information about Toys for Tots, visit www.toysfortots.org.
The Ridgeland Library is located at 397 Highway 51.