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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2007
PHILANTHROPY
Toys for Tots fulfills children's wishes
BY KATE AUGUST editor@kansan.com
More than 13 million children in the United States live in poverty. For them, the items on their Christmas wishlist really are just wishes, many of which will not come true.
However, the Kansas City area has an opportunity to make an impact this holiday season with the United States Marine Corps toys for Tots Foundation. The foundation helps provide Christmas gifts for children who might otherwise be overlooked.
According to the Toys for Tots Web site, in 1947, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Bill Hendricks founded the Toys for Tots foundation in Los Angeles. It began when his wife handcrafted a Raggedy Ann doll and asked him to find an organization that would give a poor child the doll on Christmas. Hendricks thoroughly searched his community, but he couldn't find an organization that provided gifts for children in need. When Hendricks told his wife that no such organization existed, she said that he should start one. So he did.
A year after Hendricks founded Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps adopted it and transformed
it into a national organization. The organization's mission is to collect as many new, unwrapped toys as possible during October, November and December.
First Sgt. Brandon Hall, the Topeka Toys for Tots representative, said any area family that was at or below the poverty level was encouraged to apply to the program.
"A needy family can apply for
assistance on Christmas," Hall said. "Toys are distributed to the approved families in the community."
In addition to distributing toys to a multitude of families, the Marines provide an extra special service to several lucky families on Christmas morning.
"The unit picks five families that are really in need. On Christmas morning, we personally deliver the toys to those families," Hall said.
According to the Toys for Tots Web site, last year the foundation delivered more than 19.2 million toys to more than 7.6 million children. This year, the organization hopes to provide gifts to all of the 13 million children living in need in the United States
All Toys "R" Us stores and some other businesses in the Kansas City area provide drop boxes where the donated toys can be dropped off, as well as other locations including the Lawrence Athletic Club, 3201 Mesa Way.
To learn more about donating to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, visit www.toysfortots.org or www.ketsoftotots.org.
— Edited by Luke Morris
CHARITY
Come on, ring those bells
John Elizade rings bells for the Salvation Army outside of Wal-Mart Wednesday afternoon. The Salvation Army offers different charitable programs and services around the world.
Red Kettle Campaign raises money for charity
BY ALLISON WILLIS editor@kansan.com
A few of the Salvation Army bell ringers are local volunteers, but most of the ringers are paid employees. This year marks the third season that John Elizalde, a paid Salvation Army bell ringer and Lawrence resident, has rung bells for the campaign at Wal-Mart. Elizalde said he enjoyed the spirit that comes from doing this service and that he loves to spread the joy and happiness along to others. He said he ultimately did it to glorify God.
Although most bell ringers simply ring one bell, Elizalde has added a new twist to his bell concerts by ringing two bells. He said he tried
Jessie Fetterling/KANSAN
No one could mistake the familiar sound of ringing bells outside of stores this time of year. They do not mean that a sleigh pulled by reindeer is near, but instead that the Salvation Army has started its annual Red Kettle Campaign. Bell ringers stand in front of businesses proudly ringing handbells, trying to persuade shoppers to make donations in the unmistakable, bright red kettles.
to incorporate the jazz and blues rhythms he grew up listening to in his bell playing.
Moore's special technique to ringing the bells is to yell a long, drawn-out "yippee," which he says is for the kids.
Elizalde is not the only bell ringer who brings his own style to ringing. Rickey Moore has been ringing bells for the Salvation Army on and, off for the past 15 years. Although Moore lives in Oklahoma, he decided to come back to Lawrence to ring the bells.
"I rang here last year and enjoyed it," he said, "so I thought it would be a good idea to come back."
Although most of the locations have contracts between their corporate offices and the Salvation Army's corporate offices, locally owned businesses such as Checkers and The Merc have their own contracts with the Lawrence Salvation Army.
Elizalde and Moore, along with other ringers, can be seen at 17 locations in Lawrence, including Hy-Vee and Walgreens, from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays.
Checkers store director Mike
Smith said the Salvation Army and Checkers had a verbal agreement for the bell ringers to be stationed at the store. He said that having the bell ringers at the store encouraged good community spirit and that the Salvation Army had rung bells at Checkers every season since the store opened in 1987.
The money collected from the kettles at the end of the season will be put toward Salvation Army programs such as holiday assistances, the emergency shelter and feeding the community. All the money that is raised in the community through the Red Kettle Campaign stays in the community.
According to the Salvation Army's Web site, last year the Red Kettle Campaign raised $117 million nationwide. Lt. Susan Dalberg of the Salvation Army said that last year, the Lawrence Salvation Army's campaign raised $83,238. This year's its campaign goal is $102,000.
"I donate to the Salvation Army because I think it is important to give to others and this is an easy way to do it, especially if I have extra money this time of year," said Sarah Fettke, Wichita junior, who donated to Elizalde's kettle.
locations
Checkers 2300 Louisiana St.
The Merc 901 Iowa St.
Dillions 1740 Massachusetts St.
Dillions 1015 W. 23rd St.
Dillons 3000 W. 6th St.
Dillons 4701 W. 6th St.
Hy-Vee 3504 Clinton Parkway
Hy-Vee 4000 W. 6th St.
Walgreens 400 W. 23rd St.
Walgreens 3421 W. 6th St.
Wal-Mart 3300 Iowa St.
J.C. Penney 3311 Iowa St.
Sears 2772 Iowa St.
Michaels 3106 Iowa St.
Hobby Lobby 1801 W. 23rd St.
Weaver's 901 Massachusetts St.
US Bank 900 Massachusetts St.
Jose Artiaga, St. Louis junior, also donates to the Salvation Army's campaign. He said he donated to the campaign when he had loose change in his pockets.
But not everyone donates during the Red Kettle Campaign.
"I don't have change. I pay for everything with a card," said Thomas Sunderland, Overland Park senior.
Caitlin Tew, Allen, Texas, junior, said that she had not donated to the Salvation Army lately because she donated more to Goodwill.
The Red Kettle Campaign will end December 24. For more information or to become involved with the Red Kettle Campaign, contact the Lawrence Salvation Army at (785) 843-4188, ext. 102.
Edited by Amelia Freidline