Pictured with just a few of the toys that have already been collected for the FOP’s Toys for Kids giveaway are, from left, Winston County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Josh Edwards, Winston County Sheriff Caleb Snoddy, Deputy Sam Kelly, Chief Clerk Sherry Stapp and Deputy Chris Franks.
WINSTON COUNTY - Rising living costs are creating even harder economic conditions for families this holiday season, so Winston County Fraternal of Police Lodge 51 is hoping more children will receive a brighter Christmas than ever before in the annual Toys for Kids giveaway.
“It’s not Toys for Tots. It’s Toys for Kids, very specific,” emphasized Winston County Sheriff Caleb Snoddy, also FOP Lodge 51 president. “We do Toys for Kids. That’s what we do.”
The actual toy giveaway will be Saturday, December 16, from 8 a.m.-noon, at the Double Springs Municipal Building.
However, dates to remember in preparation for the giveaway are Nov. 1-Dec. 1, during which time families in need are encouraged to make application for toys at the sheriff’s office located in the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs.
Families applying for toys need to provide a valid form identification, have an address within Winston County and give the names and ages of the children to benefit, according to Snoddy.
The sheriff’s office will be the only location this year where applications for Toys for Kids can be picked up. Applications can be picked up Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Snoddy emphasized.
Donations of new toys, or monetary donations to be used to purchase toys, will also be dropped off during that same timeframe, with donations only received at the sheriff’s office, Snoddy reminded.
“Times are a little bit harder than they have been in the past,” Snoddy said. “We would encourage everyone to dig deep and please help with this cause.
“It’s a worthy cause, and we would very much like to see a good turnout for our children,” Snoddy added.
“Anything that will be donated will be very much appreciated,” Snoddy said. “A lot of the kids that will be benefiting from this program are kids that are underprivileged.
“It could be that families are suffering economically,” Snoddy continued. “We’ll be taking in as much as we possibly can.
“We want to try to make this a large operation this year and benefit as many children as possible,” Snoddy pointed out.
Each year, Toys for Kids has averaged around 150 to 200 applications (many applications for multiple children), according to FOP Lodge 51.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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