Press release from Humboldt Toys For Tots:

The Humboldt chapter of the national Toys for Tots program is seeking toys and money donations to ensure they can deliver thousands of Christmas presents to thousands of children on the North Coast.

The US Marines Reserves sponsored program based in Eureka, which distributes in Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte and parts of Mendocino counties, gave toys to 5,000 local children last year. In 2019, the group hopes to reach 7,000.

“More families are struggling these days. Sometimes parents can’t afford to give their kids presents. That’s where we step in to help make the holiday better for them,” said Gregg Gardner, longtime coordinator for the local Toys for Tots chapter. “Every kid deserves toys on Christmas.”

The group appreciates new toy donations and organizes many drop locations, including at the Eureka Costco, Target and Wal-Mart. However, financial donations are welcome too as the group can purchase toys in bulk from various manufacturers and suppliers at a fraction of retail costs.

“Nationally, the Toys for Tots administrative costs run at about 4 percent. Everything else goes to purchase toys,” said Gardner, the publisher of the 101 Things to Do travel guides. “It’s a very efficient organization. “Here in Humboldt, the percentage of direct toy purchase is even higher, 100 percent.”

In fact, the Humboldt chapter has been recognized twice nationally for the effectiveness of its organizational structure. To extend its coverage as much as possible, it reaches out to schools superintendents throughout the region and compiles lists of children in need.

Once signed up in the program, elementary and middle school children are scheduled a time to get toys with their parents at one of the many distribution sites. Moreover, volunteers do street outreach too to find those who may not be in school, Gardener said.

Toy donations can be dropped off at the Toys for Tots office at 2383 Myrtle Ave. in Eureka or some 70 collection sites throughout the county.

Financial donations for the Humboldt chapter can be given at collection sites, the Toys for Tots office in Myrtletown or online directly at https://eureka.toysfortots.org. Be sure to specify the Humboldt-Del Norte-Trinity County location. Credit card donations can be taken at 707-443-1234.

DROPOFF LOCATIONS

Arcata

• Arcata Fire Stations
• Toni’s Restaurant
• Blondies, the Beauty Shop
• U.S. Bank
• Coast Central Uniontown
• Ultimate Yogurt
• Little Learners
• Umpqua Bank
• Nor Cal Tattoo
• Wells Fargo Bank
• Outdoor Store
• Wildberries Marketplace
• Rocking Horse
• Kens Auto
• Stars Hamburgers
• Fleetpride

Blue Lake

• Blue Lake Casino

Cutten

• The Cutten Chalet
• Elke’s Total Image
• Babe’s Pizza
• Murphy’s Market
• Sequoia Gas

Eureka

• Adventures Edge
• Mid-City Motor World/Toyota
• Bay Shore Mall
• Pacific Outfitters
• Calla Hana Boutique
• Porter Street
• Coast Central 4th & E
• Premier Oil Change
• Coast Central Bayshore
• Primate Tatu
• Coast Central Harrison
• Redwood Capital Bank
• Renner
• Costco Breakroom
• Scott Hammond State Farm
• CVS / Harris
• Shafers Ace Hardware
• Dave’s Place
• SHN
• CVS / Myrtle
• Spotlight Video/Jacob
• Dr. Randall Heckert
• Starbucks/Myrtle
• Eureka Natural Foods
• Times-Standard
• Faith Center
• Toy Box/Henderson Center
• Forever Young Beauty Salon
• Tri Counties Bank/Harris
• George Peterson Ins.
• Tri Counties Bank/Henderson
• Go! Calendars, Bayshore Mall
• Ultimate Yogurt
• Harper Ford
• Umpqua Bank/5th Street
• Dr. Heckert, Pediatric Dental
• US Bank
• Hum. County Sheriff’s Office
• Village Pantry
• Humboldt Hand and Foot
• Walgreens/Broadway
• Les Schwab
• Walgreens/Harris
• Lisa Fryrear, State Farm
• Wells Fargo
• Napa Auto
• Oaxaca Grill

Fernbridge/Ferndale

• Fernbridge Tractor
• Tri Counties Bank
• Ferndale Clothing Company
• U.S. Bank
• Ferndale Police Department

Fortuna

• Fortuna Ace Hardware
• Wells Fargo

Hoopa

• Coast Central Credit Union

McKinleyville

• Coast Central Credit Union
• McKinleyville Office Supply
• Heather Vina State Farm
• Satori Wellness
• Central Station Tavern
• Umpqua Bank
• Grocery Outlet
• Kmart
• Holiday Inn Express
• Mckinleyville Fire Station
• Les Schwab
• Miller Farms
• Lube Central

Southern Humboldt / Northern Mendocino

• Miranda Market
• All Sport, Garberville
• Redway Feed
• Peg House
• True Valley, Redway
• Leggett Valley Mercantile
• Ray’s, Garberville
• Scotia Hobbs Market
• C&C Market Rio Dell
• Scotia Palco Pharmacy
• Dollar General Rio Dell

Trinidad

• Murphy’s
• Trinidad Bay Eatery & Gallery

Weaverville

• ACE Hardware
• Merchants Mall
• Coast Central Credit Union
• Trinity Hospital
• CHP Office
• Scott Valley Bank
• CVS Pharmacy
• Senior Center
• Tri Counties Bank
• Umpqua Bank

Willow Creek

• Ace Hardware
• Rays
• Coast Central Credit Union