Charleston Living Magazine Nov-Dec 2021

(Opposite) Sgt. Andrew Duval, coordinator for the Charleston chapter for Toys for Tots and Santa; (Above)
Gifts of all kinds, including sports equipment, are welcomed donations for local children; Local businesses
can sign up to receive a donation box, allowing employees to easily donate toys.
on Christmas morning; Toys for Tots is always
looking for more corporate sponsors.
“We’ve been delivering donation boxes to
anyone that has requested delivery,” Duval said.
This year’s Toys for Tots campaign runs
through December 24. Last year, the Charleston
chapter had more than 200 drop-off sites,
including Charleston City Hall at 80 Broad
Street, and so far this year, about 60 businesses
and residents have signed up for boxes. Businesses
and residents can sign up to be a dropoff
site for toys or even buy toys virtually at
www.charleston-sc.toysfortots.org.
The principal activity for Toys for Tots
is the actual toy collection and distribution,
but different activities and fundraisers may be
scheduled throughout the year; such events
will be posted to the Toys for Tots website
and Facebook page.
Duval encourages Charleston area residents
to consider making a toy donation this
year; toys must be brand new, unwrapped and
suitable for children ages 0 to 12; donators
are asked to also consider finding toys geared
toward children with special needs.
“It’s for a good cause and it’s to help
children who are less fortunate so they can
still have a Christmas,” he said, adding that
the program has created a sense of unity
among its volunteers. “It just brings everyone
close together and shows there is help and assistance
when you need it.” •
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