2017 November PASO Magazine

“Unless someone like you cares a
whole awful lot, nothing is going
to get better. It’s not.” ~ Dr. Seuss
The financial strain for many
families to put food on the table
and shoes on growing feet too
often leaves little leftover for
presents under the tree. In its
23rd year, Toy Bank of Greater
Paso Robles is continuing to
work year-round to gather toys,
raise funds and rally practical
support for gifts that will be
shared with neighboring families.
Toy Bank estimates
that in 2017, a total
of 587 families and
1,300 children will
participate in the Day
of Giving distribution
on December 16 at
the Paso Robles Event
Center in cooperation
with Coats for Kids
and Salvation Army.
Early November,
100 containers with
the Toy Bank logo are
placed all over town to
receive unwrapped toy
donations. If a business
wants to participate, the Toy Bank
can be reached by calling 423-
1272.
“It takes scores of volunteers and
8,000 hours of work throughout
the year to make it successful,” said
longtime board member Bill Pluma.
“On the Day of Giving, we distribute
a succession of boxes to 30
families every 15 minutes. Toys for
boys and girls ages 0-12 years are
needed, but the gaps we see most
are within the 8-12 age range.”
To ensure the best results for
distribution on the Day of Giving,
families are urged to pre-register
early at Plymouth Congre-
By Melissa Chavez
gational Church at
13th and Oak Street in
Paso Robles between
November 15-29.
To qualify, applicants must live
within Paso Robles, San Miguel,
Bradley, Shandon or Heritage
Ranch with photo ID, proof of
current address, income, and
birth certificates for each child.
Bill described the awkwardness
that kids can experience
after Christmas, when friends
converse about what they each
received. Many are not so fortunate.
Bill believes that the experience
of receiving
enables children
to learn about
helping others.
“Toy Bank
invests in the students’
future,” said
Bill. “If they remember
there’s a
group to help them
that gives them toys
and school supplies,
they remember that
and learn how to
give, too.
To donate
funds, checks can
be made payable to Toy Bank of
Greater Paso Robles and mailed
to PO Box, Paso Robles, CA
93447. Cash collection banks
will also be placed in businesses
throughout the area. Toy Bank of
Paso Robles is a registered 501(c)
(3) nonprofit organization and
donations are tax-deductible. Tax
ID: 77-0385525.
“The Toy Bank would like
to thank everyone who has
made donations over the last
23 years,” said Bill. “We are
grateful for the community support
that helps us help families in
need.”
November 2017, PASO Magazine 35