(Yuba-Sutter News post) — Yuba-Sutter’s Toys for Tots program, with the incredible assistance from local individuals and businesses, and from the Toys for Tots Foundation, assisted 2,773 children ages newborn through 12 in December 2023.

Bob Harlan, the local Toys for Tots coordinator since 2010, worked with ten volunteers to place 80 collection boxes throughout Yuba-Sutter for a one-month period from late November until Christmas.

“With the need increasing sharply this year, we were grateful to have been able to distribute 5,378 toys, 1,299 books and 2,195 stocking stuffers. We are the main outside suppliers of children’s gifts for several major distribution programs, including the Yuba-Sutter Salvation Army, SoYouCan and CHiPS for Kids, along with 10 other local distribution channels,” Harlan said.

In addition to local donations of money and toys, the Toys for Tots Foundation donates $13,000 worth of toys, at no cost to the local Toys for Tots program.

“Toys for Tots is a pure form of giving, as no one is paid, no one asks for reimbursements for fuel, the processing of cash donations is free through the Foundation and the extensive oversight of our program by the Foundation is free. Every dollar donated is dedicated to purchasing gifts for those in need,” Harlan said.
Harlan also pointed out that the Foundation staff oversees local programs covering the vast majority of the United States, serving more than 16-million children.

The local Toys for Tots program this year received temporary warehouse space for sorting and distribution from Adventist Rideout and year around storage and collection space is donated by Results Radio.

“There is no way to fully express our gratefulness to the many organizations, individuals and businesses that went the extra distance to make sure this year’s program was a record-setting success,” Harlan said.