LIVING LOCAL
BRINGING CHRISTMAS TO THE KIDS KOOTENAI COUNTY TOYS FOR TOTS FILLS THE HEARTS OF MANY BY PATTY HUTCHENS
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t’s the time of year when stores are filled with people shopping for the holiday season and children eagerly await their chance to tell Santa exactly what is on their wish list this year. But for many families, it is a stressful time as they lack the resources to provide much more than food and shelter for their families. Thanks to Toys for Tots, families in Kootenai County and around the country no longer have to deal with the stress of how to make their child’s Christmas magical. Anita Parisot is the local community organizer for Toys for Tots in Kootenai County and is responsible for the overall leadership, management and reporting for Toys for Tots in our county. She is the first civilian to take the position, as it was previously conducted by The Pappy Boyington Detachment #966 for many years. The National Toys for Tots foundation has been operating since 1947, with Kootenai County Toys for Tots being established over 20 years ago. Sponsored by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, last year Kootenai County served 935 families, which included 1,932 children. It is a program for children 12 and younger who are from low-income families on public assistance or are members of active duty military families.
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According to Anita, the biggest need locally is for boys and girls ages 8 to 12. However, there is a $30 limit, and many of the toys that age group desires are out of that price range. “We’re also struggling with the closing of Toys ‘R Us. They were our biggest supplier of toys,” said Anita of the obstacles they face this year. “I am hoping local toy stores in the area and stores such as WalMart and Target will step in to help.” She shares that last year, Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene provided Toys for Tots with $5,000 of STEM toys for the 8- to 12-yearold girls, as they were aware Toys for Tots was running low. And they did that in just four short hours! When it comes to donations, Anita said Toys for Tots is only able to accept new, unwrapped toys. They cannot accept donations of clothing.
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