Mt. Vernon Register-News

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November 9, 2012

First Toys for Kids registration to be held tomorrow

By RORYE O’CONNOR CNHI

MT. VERNON — Toys for Kids of Jefferson County will begin registration tomorrow for the holiday season.

Registration for children to receive toys through the program will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Toys for Kids headquarters at Times Square Mall.

Registration will also take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.

The giveaway is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 7.

Children from newborns to 14 years old may be registered for the program, said Toys for Kids member Lacey Copple.

To qualify, a parent or guardian must present a Medicaid card, she said.

“Everybody will need to bring the public aid card and their ID,” she said. “We have to have the public aid card number.”

That’s not the only way someone may qualify to take part in Toys for Kids, however:  Copple added that children may be referred by teachers or their churches as well.

“If a family’s house caught on fire, or their parents were laid off, and they have been recommended to us by someone in county, we would take that into consideration,” she said. “If someone is in need, we’ll definitely help them.”

Each child will receive an age-appropriate toy of about a $25 value and a smaller stocking stuffer, Copple said.

“We’ve got everything from Barbie dolls to dump trucks to board games and basketballs,” she said. “We’ve also got jewelry and scarves.”

Last year, Toys for Kids of Jefferson County served about 800 individuals, but they are expecting more, Copple said, because Toys for Tots is not operating in Jefferson County this year.

“We are estimating close to 1,000,” she said.

The organization will get a donations boost tomorrow from employees from Continental Tire the Americas, who are holding their annual toy drive, Copple said.

Another boost is expected Sunday, Nov. 18, with a Toy Drive Party at Times Square Mall. Copple said My Favorite Toys will give 20 percent off to anyone buying a toy for the organization from 5 to 7:30 p.m.; if they bring the purchased toy to Maurice’s, they will receive 15 percent off their entire purchase, she added.  

Currently, the organization is seeking toys for older kids, ages 10-14.  

“We need board games, digital cameras, Walkmans, jewelry and scarves,” Copple said. “The older kids are not getting as many things donated for them.”

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TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
Mt. Vernon Police blocked a portion of North Ninth Street Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. after reports the brick facade of the apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Maple streets was falling to the ground. The bricks took out cable lines, awnings and were landing on the street.