Toy Round Up donations lagging

Slim pickings STAFF PHOTO BY PHIL REYNOLDS Port Aransas emergency workers say pickings will be slim for this year's Toy Round Up if more people don't come forward with toys. Looking over the toys collected so far are (from left) Danny Perkins, Mark Stokes, Sabrina Millard, Yancy Gillespie, Sandra Flores, Lyn Gillespie, Steve Walker and Kristen Barton. Toys can still be dropped off at the police station, EMS office, Family Center IGA, city hall, ValueBank and The University of Texas Marine Science Institute administration office. Monetary donations are welcome at city hall, the EMS office, or by mail to Port Aransas EMS, Attn: Toy Round Up, 705 W. Ave. A, Port Aransas, TX 78373.

"Please help now," said Round Up chairman Kristin Barton concerning donations of toys for infants through teens for the 10th annual Port Aransas Emergency Services Toy Round Up.

"Giving has been much less this year," she said, "and we desperately need money and toys to make this drive successful."

The program helps lower income families provide Christmas toys for their children. Donations will be accepted through Monday, Dec. 17.

Barton has no explanation for the lack of donations but hopes it will turn around this week, she said. "Usually people are extremely generous, even giving bicycles and other big items, but not this year, so far. Our tables are pretty bare to date; please don't let these kids down," she said.

Gifts for teens are needed as well, since people tend to buy more for the little kids, according to Barton.

Families that want to receive toys may pick up applications at the EMS office or city hall.

Applications for toys must include proof of residency in Port Aransas with a rent or utility bill having a Port Aransas zip code and some form of identification.

Parents will pick up the unwrapped toys before Christmas along with wrapping paper and tape.

New unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Port Aransas Police Station or EMS office at 705 W. Ave. A, the Family Center IGA at 418 S. Alister St., city hall at 710 W. Ave. A, ValueBank

500 S. Alister St. and The University of Texas

Austin Marine Science Institute administration office at 750 Channel View Drive.

Monetary donations may be left at city hall, 710 W. Ave. A, at the EMS office or mailed to Port Aransas EMS, Attention: Emergency Services Toy Round Up, 705 W. Ave. A, Port Aransas, TX 78373.

Checks should be made payable to Emergency Services Toy Round Up.

For more information, call the EMS office at (361) 749-4405.