HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – In its third year, Havre Toys for Tots continued to grow, serving 80 children this holiday season.
That represents about a 10 percent increase from last year.
Local organizer Jennifer Tilleman says each child received three presents and two stocking stuffers, with one donor providing around half of all toys.
“There were a couple surprise partnerships that came into place. There was a gentleman here in Havre, Travis Meyer, who hosted a shoot which part of the registration for the shoot was to bring a toy for Toys for Tots. And that alone made up about half of our toys this year. So when we look at that 80 kids, that’s about 240 toys. So they brought in pretty close to half of that.”
Havre Toys for Tots did end up needing a few more toys to give to older children, which the coordinator in Great Falls was able to help out with.
Tilleman says organizing this local drive has taken up a lot of time, and is hoping that someone in the community will step up and help out next year.
“I did have a few more hands on deck this year, which was helpful. My family is a huge part of that as well, which I am very grateful for. But I would like to introduce a new partner and possibly create a local coordinator here in Havre. I think that would alleviate a lot of the stress that goes along with having to travel and filling the orders, so that’s something that we want to continue to look into. But I don’t have anybody that’s really taken an interest in that yet.”
Tilleman adds that Havre Toys for Tots hopes to continue to expand in the coming years.
