A couple of Jefferson City charities are falling short of their Christmas goals.
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Jefferson City and Cole County has a critical need for toys for children in specific age groups. And the Mid-Missouri Samaritan Center has 57 families who are still available for adoption.
The Toys for Tots campaign needs toys for boys up to 11 months. It also needs toys for girls ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
The basic mission of the program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute them to less fortunate children at Christmas, according to toysfortots.org.
Harold Faughn, the Cole County coordinator for Toys for Tots, said the organization has already distributed toys for hundreds of children this year. It will take more than 800 toys for specific children to the Salvation Army next week.
And, partners have contacted Faughn and told him they are bringing their lists in next week. He anticipates receiving names of another 850 children at that time.
This year has been unusual, he said. The organization was unable to find a coordinator for Maries County, so Faughn has taken on that responsibility. Toys for Tots Jefferson City and Cole County will first meet its own obligations, then move on to filling requests in Maries County, he said.
It is unusual for Toys for Tots to run low on toys for younger children, he said.
"Those are usually the best age groups. This is the first year they've been low," Faughn said.
State employees may drop off toys at numerous locations within state agencies. Unilever employees may drop off at the Unilever site.
People may also drop off toys at: Advance Spinal Rejuvenation, 3237 W. Truman Blvd., Suite 101; Bucsh's Florist, 620 Madison St.; Capital 8 Theaters, 3600 Country Club Drive; Capital City Chrysler Jeep Ram, 3201 Missouri Blvd.; Five Below, 735 Stoneridge Parkway; Furniture Factory Outlet, 2010 Missouri Blvd.; Jefferson City Auto Plex, 3215 Missouri Blvd.; Joe Machens Ford, 807 Southwest Blvd.; Kemna Collision Repair, 5021 Roling Road; Menards, 810 Stone Creek Drive; Missouri Lottery, 1823 Southridge; Pizza Hut, 3601 Country Club Drive; Riley Chevrolet, 2033 Christy Drive; Riley Toyota Scion, 2105 Christy Drive; River Region Credit Union, (three locations) 2009 Schotthill Woods Drive, 3608 Truman Blvd., and 3124 West Edgewood Drive; Samuel's Tuxedo, 236 E. High St.; St. Stanislaus Church, 6418 Route W, Wardsville; Walgreens Pharmacy, 2002 Missouri Blvd.; and Wendy's Restaurant, 3536 Country Club Drive.
At the Samaritan Center, 57 families remain available for adoption.
Each year, people sign up to "adopt" a family by providing some Christmas cheer. A minimum expectation is to provide two ($15) gifts each for each child (12 or younger), one gift for each parent or child ages 13-19 (also $15 each) a gift card to a local grocery store for a Christmas meal at $15 per person. A five-person family would total about $180 for the meal and the gifts.
Those wishing to help may call Kylie at 573-634-7776. Forms for adoption are available at midmosamaritan.org.