Winston Fraternal Order of Police begins Toys for Kids drive


Winston County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Josh Bennett, left, and Sheriff Caleb Snoddy with toys being collected for this year's giveaway.

WINSTON COUNTY - The  countdown has begun for parents and/or guardians of  children needing toys this upcoming holiday season to take part in the annual Toys for Kids giveaway, sponsored by Winston County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 51.
Applications became available Monday up at the sheriff’s office, located at the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs, for family members of children ages 2-12 in need of toys during these tough economic times, stressed Winston County Sheriff Caleb Snoddy, who is also FOP Lodge 51 president.
In order to complete the application, the family member must present a current  form of identification, Snoddy explained.
“We definitely need to get the word out,” Snoddy pointed out. “This has been  a hallmark for the FOP for a long time.
“Toys for Kids is a great program that can especially assist during holiday times, especially this year, with issues in the economy,” Snoddy pointed out.
“There’s hurt being felt all over,” he added “Prices in everyday life have skyrocketed, so if we can help bring some relief to families in need by helping to provide Christmas for children, then that is exactly what we are going to do.”
The sheriff’s office will be the only location this year where applications for Toys for Kids can be picked up, as well as the only location where toys will be collected--unlike in the past, when locations also included town halls throughout the county, organizers confirmed.
Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Josh Bennett, who is Lodge 51 vice president, added this special project provides  a great motivation to children, who might not otherwise have toys at Christmas.
“I am glad that we’re going to be able to give that special moment to kids who may or may not be able to have that feeling like I did on Christmas day,” Bennett stated.
“...That way, kids can wake up on Christmas morning and feel the joy, like other kids can,” Bennett added.

Fishing tournament
requires toy
registration

For the first time, a fishing tournament has been added as a major fundraiser benefiting the Toys for Kids program, Snoddy stated.
Entry to the fishing tournament, planned for  Saturday, Dec.  7, at Duncan Bridge Marina, will not be cash, but $50 worth of new toys for the program, according to Snoddy.
There will not be any pre-registration for the tournament, with participants urged to arrive at 5 a.m. to begin registration, with the tournament beginning at daylight.
Specific times for weigh-ins, as well as sponsors for the tournament will be announced at a later date, according to Snoddy.
“We have had various people through the years wanting to be able to assist with and help with this program,” Snoddy explained.  
“This year, we’re hoping that the fishing tournament will  be able to include other people  assisting us with the toys, as well,” Snoddy stated.
“It’s a great thing to bring the community together this particular weekend,” he added. “We’re excited that people can help out and engage in our community.”
Bennett added  a stressful factor for FOP members each year is receiving enough donations to provide for the needs of the applicants.
“With this fishing tournament in process, it’s going to take that burden and stress off of us and also be able to put on something fun for the community to do,” Bennett added
Those who do not wish to participate in the fishing tournament are being encouraged to bring donations of new toys to the sheriff’s office, with the cut-off for donations being  Friday, Dec. 13, Snoddy stated.  
However, the deadline for family members or guardians to complete applications is Monday, Dec. 9, so organizers will have time to prepare and sort the toys before the giveaway, they said.
Members of FOP Lodge 51 will meet at the Double Springs Municipal Building in plenty of time before the giveaway to sort the toys received through donations and to match them with the family applications, according to organizers.
The actual giveaway will be Saturday, Dec. 14, with pick up from 8 a.m. until noon, at the Double Springs Municipal Building.
The family member or guardian who initially made application for the toys must be the one who comes to  pick up the toys for that child, Snoddy emphasized.
This parent or guardian must present current ID and the application attached to the toys for that family will be retrieved by FOP Lodge 51  members, organizers said.
“We do the best we can with as many toys as we have to take care of as many children as we can,” Snoddy pointed out.

 

 

 


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