The economy may be showing signs of life, but local charities are struggling to meet the December demand. We checked out the Toys For Tots distribution today, and talked to some who never thought they'd be needing some holiday help.
At the old Target store on Prater Way, there are few questions asked at this year's Christmas toy distribution. The Salvation Army knows how hard it is for a mom to admit…there's no money for toys this Christmas. Major Janene Zielinski told us that "Some folks are in tears by the time they get in the front door, because it's just such an emotional experience for them."
At the front of the line this morning, single mom Tanya thinks about her 6 year-old daughter, Breanna...until it's her turn. Her shopping “helper” Callie gives her a cheery greeting and tells her to “follow me!”
Tanya scanned the store for anything "Frozen," Breanna's favorite movie. She doesn't find it, but settles on a Barbie doll. She's taken to 3 other tables to pick more gifts, gets her pick of stuffed toys…and finally is handed a bag of gift wrap.
Tanya tells me she's had a tough year trying to care for her daughter. As she said, "It's tough, the older they get. You just have to budget really well."
Also coming in for help was Tracy, who has a daughter who's…quite special. She told me, "Whitney is 16, and she thinks she's a princess."
Last year, this Salvation Army/Toys For Tots program supplied 10,000 toys to Washoe County kids alone. They expect to provide the same number this year. So far, over 3,000 families have come in the door of the old Target for free toys. Major Zielinski told me, "They're just having a hard time making the ends meet, and this is a little way to bring Christmas to them."
Tracy, Whitney's mom, says things were going good for her until she lost her job last year. Like so many others here, she's just getting by. She told me, "My dad and my sister this year sent me $50 so that Whitney could go to her school dance." That left no money for gift shopping. And the black plastic bag of presents they give her at the end? Tracy looked at it and said, "This is Whitney's Christmas."
Tracy says even though it's been rough this year, her family is hanging in there. She clings to the belief…that next year will be better: "I feel like next year is going to be a lot better year, and we're going to be back on our feet."
You can drop off your donated new toys at the old Target store at 589 Prater Way in Sparks, or at the Salvation Army at 1931 Sutro Street in Reno. And there's an easy way to make a secure monetary donation. Just click link below:
