Perry's toy drive program sees donations pour in from the community
Long tables were filled with a variety of toys for boys and girls ages 0-14 as volunteers unrolled plastic bags, consulted their lists and started grabbing items to fill the bags.
“We got some fabulous donations this year,” Linda Andorf said.
Linda Andorf, who helps organize the toy drive with her husband, John, and New Opportunities, said they received a $3,000 grant from the Bock Family Foundation in addition to donations from the community.
“That really helped when we were going through the list of who wants what. Then we could go shop for some of those things that kids want and had on their lists,” she added.
Toys were also collected from boxes located around town throughout November along with donations from businesses. While a majority of the toys come from the local collection boxes, the drive also receives items from the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
“We have done very well this year,” Linda Andorf said of the donations.
Around 305 kids were served through this year's drive as of Dec. 4. Families fill out an application through New Opportunities to qualify for the annual program.
The collection boxes were picked up at the end of November and volunteers helped sort the toys onto tables on Dec. 3 at the Perry Elks Lodge. The volunteers were joined by members of Perry High School’s National Honor Society and DMACC AP classes.
Volunteers then grabbed application forms and started filling bags with toys for each family based on ages and interests on Dec. 4-6.
“I just enjoy doing this, knowing that we’re going to make a child happy,” Lisa Battani said.
She has been volunteering with the toy drive since 2015.
“I look forward to it every year, it just makes my heart happy. It’s a great way to volunteer but more so just knowing that we’re going to make a child happy on Christmas. It’s just very rewarding,” Battani said as she picked out a doll.
Fellow volunteers Tara and Chris Myers were busy at another table picking out coats before grabbing a car for another family.
“It’s fun to be able to fulfill other kids’ wishes,” Tara Myers said. “It’s a great opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community in a fun way.”
The toys were distributed to families on Dec. 7-8. Families were also able to put their name in to win larger items like bicycles, large Barbies and more in addition to their bags of toys.
While the toy drive is currently serving around 305 Perry children, Linda Andorf said circumstances may change and families may need toys after the distribution. She added that they will work to fill wish list items for qualified families up until New Opportunities closes for Christmas. Any leftover funds will also carry over to next year's drive.
John and Linda Andorf appreciate all of the donations they received for this year’s toy drive.
“Thanks for everybody supporting it this year,” John Andorf said. “We had great community support again.”
“Just a huge thank you because we couldn’t do it without all of the help that we get from the community, all of the support,” Linda Andorf added.
For more information on donating to the annual toy drive, contact the Andorfs at 515-465-5803.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Perry's annual toy drive sees support from the community in 2023
