Dutchess/Ulster Toys for Tots Ready for Holidays
The Holiday Season is here, whether we are ready for it or not! With the craziness and the overall whirlwind of the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up, and forget about those who are less fortunate and are sometimes unable to provide everything needed for these hectic holiday times.
That’s where charitable organizations like Toys for Tots come in.
For 77 years, Toys for Tots has been helping children and families have a happier holiday through donations and various toy drives. A program of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots partners with businesses and organizations around the country in an initiative to collect toys, books, and other essentials, to give to those who may need a little extra boost this holiday season.
This week on In Touch, we spoke with T.J. Ashline and Mike Binns about their respective charitable Toys for Tots organizations, covering both sides of the Hudson River. T.J. Ashline is a Volunteer Coordinator for Dutchess County Toys for Tots, and Mike Binns is a Coordinator for Ulster County.
County Coordinators share their stories:
Mike has been involved in the program for 7 years and in 2020 became coordinator for Ulster County Toys for Tots, and T.J. has been helping fill collection boxes at his local fire house for 20 years, and one year when his own children were young, he found there was a need for volunteers, and more locations that needed to be added.
Accessibility is key, and making sure all toys and goods donated are accessible to a wide range of families and those in need.
Impact in the Community
For several years, they have been making a difference in their respective counties during the this festive time of year, spreading smiles and making local families’ holiday seasons a little brighter.
TJ and Mike dove into the impact their work has had over the past years, and what it means to them and their communities.
“I measure by the smiles on the kids' faces. The numbers are the numbers, you might do 100 less this year or you might do 300 more this year, but at the end of the day you just want to make it special and magical for these kids.” volunteer coordinator T.J. Ashline explained.
T.J. and Mike, are busiest around the holidays; from various promotions and events to help the organization spread the word around the area, and finding partners and businesses to set up donation bins inside of to collect toys and other goods.
“I added two new distribution centers around Ulster County because there’s only been one for a number of years. We have to help the whole county and not just help one side of the county. That’s why I added distribution centers in Ellenville and New Paltz, along with our main center in Kingston.” said Ulster County Coordinator Mike Binns.
You’ve seen them, the red and white bins set up inside of grocery stores and banks with the Toys for Tots logo written playfully on the toy train. Usually overflowing with toys and gifts for local children, it's people like T.J. and Mike that makes it happen.
The numbers don’t lie, last year in Dutchess and Ulster Counties, T.J. and Mike helped 1,809 families in Dutchess County, and 1,879 families in Ulster County.
If you’re interested in donating, or if you’re an organization or business looking to become a donation spot, visit their website www.toysfortots.org, and be on the lookout for donation bins spread around the area.
This year, if you see a donation bin, think about donating or dropping in a toy. You could just make someone's holiday season a bit merrier.
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