4-H Toy Drive Now in Final Week for Donations

Sponsoring the 15th Annual 4-H Toy Drive, Kent County 4-H’ers are in the final week of collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages infant to 16 years old. The 4-H toy drive extends until December 12, 2014.

All donations will be distributed to children in Kent County through the Lion’s Clubs Christmas Basket Program. 4-H joined with the Lions 5 years ago to help provide toys and gifts to the children of families receiving Christmas baskets. The Lions have a well-developed system of delivery through local fire companies and the sheriff’s office.

Local families continue to be impacted by tough economic times and any help is greatly appreciated. Anyone wishing to support the drive with toys or monetary donations can contact the Extension Office at 709 Morgnec Road or call 410-778-1661. Toy drive drop-off locations can be found at many local businesses including: Aquafit, Binkley and Hurst, Christ Church I.U, Cypress Creek Archery, Farm Service Agency, Garfield Center for the Performing Arts, Kent County Middle School, Kent County High School, Kent County Public Works, Kent Soil Conservation, Louisa’s Restaurant, People’s Bank Branches, Radcliff Creek School, Running W Kennel, and Speakman’s Nursery.

Since the drive began in 1999, toys have been supplied to thousands of Kent County children. Over $17,000 in monetary donations have been collected in the 14 previous years and redistributed as toys and gifts to Kent County children. The drive is conducted by youth who volunteer to be part of the 4-H Toy Drive Committee. They begin planning and preparing in October.

Committee members also contact local businesses, decorate and put collection boxes through-out the county, have a float in the Chestertown Christmas parade and have 2 booths in Fountain Park. The 4-H toy drive extends until December 12, 2014. The 4-H’ers will then collect the boxes and the toys from the admission to Jennifer’s School of Dance recital. They will then shop for additional gifts, sort it and help pack the Christmas Baskets at the Kent Community Center on Monday December 15th. The toys along with the Christmas Baskets will be delivered to families that day.

For more information, contact: Elizabeth M. S. Hill, Faculty Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland Extension, Kent County, 709 Morgnec Road, Suite 202, Chestertown, MD 21620. 410-778-1661, fax: 410-778-9075