Fundraising for the community toy store toy drive starts November 1

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The Community Assistance Program is anticipating more demand this year as it prepares for the annual Community Toy Store this December. 

The program has seen more than double the number of last year’s families sign up to shop since registration opened October 13, said Community Assistance Program board member Laura Vogee. Thirty-two families with 93 children have signed up so far for this year’s program, opposed to the 12 families with 34 children that were signed up this time last year.

“I don’t know how the overall numbers will play out but we have more people registered the first week this year,” Vogee said. “We’ll need more donations to cover the extra families we’ll be serving.”

The toy store helps families with limited income buy new toys for 75-90 percent off retail price. Toys, and gift cards for youth 11-18, are donated by community members and then displayed for parents to purchase with cash.

Recommended toys for children include Legos, K’nex, building toys, science kits, musical instruments, scooters, sports equipment and books. Gifts should not be wrapped and the retail price should be included.

The program is seeking $25 gift cards from Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Old Navy, Michaels, Happy Teen and discount stores such as TJ Maxx or Home Goods. Residents who donate gift cards should place the card in an envelope and drop it off at the Blaine Banner Bank, at 435 Martin Street, with a drive-through bank teller or night deposit box.

Monetary donations are also accepted at blainecap.org by credit card or a check can be mailed to the Community Assistance Program at to P.O. Box 1067, Blaine, Washington, 98231, with “Community Toy Store” in the memo.

Blaine school district families on free and reduced meals, or those who qualify with preschool or homeschooled children, who are not receiving other gift assistance are eligible to shop at the toy store. People unsure if they qualify can call the Family Service Center at 360/332-0740.

Proceeds from this year’s toy store will benefit the Wildbird Charity Weekend Food Bag Program and The Bridge Community Hope Center’s emergency fund. Proceeds will also go to the Community Toy Store this year to help sustain its funds, which Vogee said paid for $5,500 of the $7,618 used for toys, gift cards and store supplies last year.

Vogee said her favorite part of the program is seeing how excited parents are to shop for their children.

“In a lot of gift assistance programs the parents don’t get to choose the gift for their child,” she said. “Prices are marked down so low some parents are so amazed at what they can get for $10-20. It really empowers the parent.”

In 2019, 888 toys and 244 gift cards were purchased at the toy store, Vogee said. 

The program’s donation drive runs Sunday, November 1 to Friday, December 4. The toy store has an Amazon wish list this year at amzn.to/3ovK7Sr to allow people to do contactless donations. The program also has partnered with Launching Success Learning Store in Bellingham for residents to order toys online that volunteers will pick up. People buying for the toy store can use the promo code CTSHoliday2020 to receive 10 percent off their purchase. Collection boxes will be located in Blaine and Birch Bay at the Blaine Starbucks, Pacific Building Center and The Bridge Community Hope Center.

The CAP leadership, made up of 14 people, has been planning the program since August, Vogee said. Families will be scheduled further apart with one family entering the store every 15 minutes. The store has also gotten rid of its gift wrap station because it caused long lines, and it will not offer Christmas cookies this year. 

“I love this program as a donor, because of the ripple effect it has in the community,” Vogee said. “As a donor, I love that my donations will have such a far-reaching effect.”

The toy store will run Thursday, December 10 and Friday, December 11 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Pre-registration is required by Sunday, November 29 and can be done at bit.ly/3owQG7d, or 360/820-6631 for those without internet. Those whose eligibility is approved will be contacted to confirm their acceptance.

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