By Dan Murphy
One of the great volunteer organizations is the Toys for Tots program, which is a non profit charity, established in 1991 at the behest of the Marine Corps to help run and support the Marine Toys for Tots Program.. which began in 1947.
The Foundation raises funds, purchases toys, provides promotional and support materials, manages all funds raised and donated, solicits corporate support, educates the public, and handles day-to-day operations.Toys for Tots collects millions of toys every year to children who won’t get another gift for the holidays.
Here in Westchester, Toys for Tots has been run for Steve and Kelly Turchinsky for many years. Every holiday season they lead the effort, collect the toys and gift cards and get them to those who need them.
This year, Westchester Toys for Tots has a problem. They are homeless and need a new home ASAP.
“We are in dire need of a new warehouse space for Toys for Tots. Westy’s withdrew use of their facilities as a warehouse & in doing so we have also lost 5 donation drop points all over Westchester. We are homeless with no location to sort & distribute toys from. Toys start getting shipped to us by November 1st. We are having to have supplies delivered to our home but last year we provided toys for over 21,000 children (50,000 toys!). You can imagine the amount of space required, at the very least 1000 + square feet of open space, enough for the toys, volunteers intake & outgoing items. With COVID we have to social distance as well.
“We are looking for a donated space, we are a 501C3 charity which means it can be written off as a gift in kind. We are trying to stay on this side of the County since we live in Hastings but were based out of Elmsford & have donations from all over Westchester County. Possible areas: from Executive Blvd, Yonkers to Hawthorne (Valhalla, Hartsdale, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Tarrytown, Ardsley, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Central Ave, White Plains (near Kmart)
“We need an open floor plan, with a bathroom and possibly a small kitchenette. Wi Fi and electricity for lighting . The area/building needs to be on the 1st floor or accessible from a parking lot/street, with A loading dock a plus but a spot to drop pallets of toys would work
“We can provide insurance. We are responsible professional people, we keep the location clean & tidy & follow all safety protocols. We can take garbage & recycling off site to dispose of. We are happy to sign a contract
Areas that would work: Empty Firehouse or Church community rooms; school gym, empty building used for day camp or daycare, empty school, super large garage (semi clean remember we are storing toys) big barn. Empty storefront as long as it has enough floor space to sort toys. Even empty office space might work. Instead of a building sitting empty they could write it off for the time we are there! We were utilizing multiple 10×10 rooms in Westy’s plus the hallway at times.
“Please contact us ASAP if anyone knows of a location available or with a phone number to contact someone. People can contact Steve Topilnycky the Program Coordinator call or text 914-263-0840 or email him westchester.county.ny@toysfortots.org, “ writes Kelly & Steve Topilnycky.”
Please help these honest people do their good work this holiday season.
