Local Toy Drives

TOPSAIL ISLAND - A group of kids whose families are struggling to make ends meet will receive presents this Christmas thanks to Santa's helpers in Surf City and North Topsail Beach.

Surf City Community Center has teamed up for the second year with the American Legion and 4 C's Food Pantry for the Community Holiday Assistance Program.

The Giving Tree, erected in Surf City's Community Center, has been decorated with gift tag ornaments for children ages 8 to 18 who are hoping for items like board games, purses, books, CDs, watches, jewelry and other wishes.

Administrative Assistant Denise Rossi said she and Director Kristi Grubb wanted to key in on the older children this year because fewer gifts are received for that age group. Anyone who needs specific gift ideas can ask. Rossi said she has a ton of ideas for anyone who might need a suggestion or two.

"We picked age 8 to 18, since there are, for whatever reason, often a lot less things donated for kids in that age group. Maybe some see them as harder to buy for, I don't know, but we hope by providing ideas we'll be able to fill that need," she explained.

Rossi said she and Grubb are also willing to do the shopping if people prefer to make a monetary donation.

Anyone wishing to get a gift tag can stop by the Community Center during business hours, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday. The Community Center will accept new, unwrapped gifts until Dec. 19.

Individuals can also sponsor an entire family and provide them with gifts and food. Those wishing to do so can contact Janine Smith at 910-270-2671.

The Community Holiday Assistance Program has been providing disadvantaged families in Topsail Township with food baskets, clothing and toys for 20 years. This year it has 120 families and approximately 250 children signed up, but more referrals are expected.

The Surf City Police Department and the town government of North Topsail Beach are collecting toys for Toys for Tots. They will accept new unwrapped toys until Dec. 17.

Toys can be dropped off at Surf City Police Department from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department is scheduled to move into its new building on N.C. 210 on Wednesday.

North Topsail Beach Town Hall will also accept new, unwrapped toys from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and monetary donations will be accepted. The program receives a 10 percent discount from Wal-Mart on toys for the program.

Last year Lydia King, North Topsail Beach's finance officer, collected $1,600 in donations to shop for additional items besides the toys and bikes that were provided by area residents.

Toys donated to Toys for Tots in Onslow County go to the Christmas Cheer program administered by Onslow Community Ministries.

Last year, 1,300 families, 4,300 individual received assistance and 22,127 toys were distributed by Christmas Cheer.

Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-328-3033.