Jasper County Toys for Kids program holding toy drive in hopes of helping kids in need

The program is in need of toys for the holiday season

The holiday the holiday season is the time for giving.

But...because of the covid-19 pandemic... 2020 has made it difficult for many non-profits that have less to give.

News 10 bureau chief gary brian tells us how one local organization is asking for your help.

Gar} "every year kids in need in jasper county get help from the toys for kids program.

This year, with the pandemic still going strong, the group that puts on the event needs your help."

For nearly 40 years toys for kids has been helping kids in need in jasper county.

Most years around 200 kids get everything from toys to nessessities like clothes.

It also gives other kids a it also gives other kids a chance to learn.

"it is a great learning experience.

The other kids are learning to manage their budget, get the most items for the money that their given for the gift bags.

So it's usually a pretty good learning experience for the shoppers as well as the recepient."

However nothing about 2020 has been usual.

Those kid shoppers were replaced with older volunteers to help.

Monitary donations go to buy all nessessities.

This year those donations are normal.

But getting toys has been another story.

"we always make sure there is a new toy.

New toys you know coloring books, baby dolls, trucks and tractors, and equipment.

All that good stuff you know.

That puts that magic into christmas."

Many businesses and churchs that typically hold toy drives have been closed due to the pandemic.

This is leaving the program with a shortage of that christmas magic.

A toy drive saturday morning looks to help fix that.

"you just pull up to the door, depending on how it's raining or where the rain is coming from, you'll see us."

Starting at 9 in the morning folks can swing by the community center to drop of toys.

All to help brighten a kid's christmas.

"lots of times theres lots of mothers have tears in their eyes when they see what's in the bag.

Or you'll know they'll say 'oh my, we had nothing.

We didn't know what we were going to do this year."

Gar} the toy drive runs until noon on saturday.

Working from home in vincennes, gary brian news 10."

In terre haute... "toys