The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow over the holiday season for many families. The good news is that Toys for Tots, now in its 35th year, is stepping in to fill gaps and provide gifts for children whose families need help.
The East Hampton Kiwanis Club, for one, is hosting a Toys for Tots drive. People can donate new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 12 at many locations around town.
"It takes teamwork to make things possible: Our club is committed to being here for every family that has fallen on difficult times," Louis Profera, a Kiwanis member, said in an announcement. "This is a challenging year, more so than ever before. Due to the financial toll of Covid, many more local families are impacted and seeking support. Covid has also made it more difficult to promote the toy drive, since many local in-person events and fund-raisers are not happening this year."
Toys can be dropped off at Brent's General Store in Amagansett and Herb's Market and M&R Deli in Montauk. In East Hampton, drop-off sites include Scoop du Jour, Village Hardware, the real estate offices of Corcoran and Brown Harris Stevens, and the East Hampton Senior Citizens Center, and in Springs at the Springs General Store, One Stop Market, and Springs Pizza. The Montauk AARP and East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue are also collecting toys, as are the students and faculty of the Ross School, the Springs School, the Amagansett School, the Montauk School, and the East Hampton Middle School.
Monetary contributions are also sought and can be sent to the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 1902, East Hampton 11937.