Christmas Controversy Over Local Toys For Tots Donations

A major distribution of toys that many local non-profit organizations rely on to make Christmas special for needy children is no longer covered in Monterey county. That’s according to the Toys For Tots website, yet donations are still being collected in the county.

The Epiphany Lutheran and Episcopal Church said it was counting on donations from Toys for Tots again this year, but was turned away and now it doesn’t know what to do. Church-goers reached out to Central Coast News to find out what’s happening to the toys that are being collected.

“It makes me feel sad,” said Tina Swartzel, Christmas giving coordinator for the church. “I feel very sad for these children.”

The church has about a dozen donated toys to provide to 125 children this year.

“We have an increase of 30 percent more families this year,” said Jon Perez, priest for the church. “We actually have more kids than before, so again we’re feeling overwhelmed on how to make it all work together.”

Toys For Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that distributes gifts to less fortunate kids. This year, Monterey county isn’t covered.

That’s why Heather Howe, a volunteer who works for a local business that partnered up with Toys For Tots, stepped up to the plate to make sure those donations go to local kids.

“We have to work a lot harder and a lot faster. I’ve had to contact the reserve units quite aggressively to get support. I have gotten support for two local non-profit organizations and made a great deal of effort myself, personally,” she said.

All because the local presidio wasn’t involved this year, she said.

“it is the responsibility of the reserves, and not active-duty Marines, to run the Toys For Tots this year,” Howe said.

After finding out just two weeks ago it was denied help from Toys For Tots, the Epiphany Lutheran and Episcopal Church has had to scramble with just 15 days until Christmas.

“We’ve lost almost a month of time that we could be out looking at other sources,” Swartzel said.

Central Coast News tried numerous of times since Monday night to contact coordinators for Toys For Tots for a comment. There was no response as of Tuesday night.

Some good news for the church: Howe will be working withchurch-goers to make sure kids in their community aren’t left out this year.

Here are the six drop-off locations for Toys For Tots in Monterey County:
Bratty & Bluhm Real Estate in Pacific Grove
New Masters Gallery in Carmel
Thinker Toys in Carmel and Monterey
Trader Joe’s in Pacific Grove and Monterey