Salvation Army requests more toys for program

The Salvation Army is in need of toys for teenagers 13-17 to complete its Toys for Joy program.

"Everything else is going well, what we need mostly is toys for 13- to 17-year-olds," said Maj. Charles Norris.

The Toys for Joy program has been in place with The Salvation Army for more than 10 years. Families call the center with the number of children they need toys for, their ages and if they are a boy or girl.

"We are supplying toys to 219 families from Carson City and Douglas County. We have a total of 560 kids, meaning we need about 1,100 something toys. We like to give two toys per child."

Thursday, the U.S. Postal Service delivered toys for 50 youths, whose Christmas wishes were hung on tags on Christmas trees in Carson-area businesses. The Main Post Office and the Ormsby Post Office had 100 percent employee participation for the program, 113 in all.

Headed by Olivia Bozsik, along with Terry Sharp, Dan Belcher and Tony Spotts from the Postal Service, the group unloaded bikes, remote control cars, CD players, scooters, jackets and lots of Barbie dolls and Spiderman items for the youth.

"What wasn't taken from the tree, the clerks of the American Postal Workers Union stepped in and bought," Bozsik said. "We bought for 50 angels."

Norris thanks the community for its help but added they are still a little short on toys.

"We could use a little more help," he said.

"It always surprises me to some degree the need in a community," Norris said.

"But the generosity and community participation of wanting to help surprises me a little, too. For a smaller community, the amount of people active in helping is wonderful."

Distribution of the toys will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Salvation Army, 661 Colorado St.

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-1223.