Registration begins soon for JC Toys for Kids
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MOUNT VERNON — Few things bring as much joy to a child as waking up on Christmas morning to find their presents under the tree. Jefferson County Toys for Kids wants to keep that dream alive for all children, regardless of their family’s financial status.
Registration dates have now been set for this year’s Jefferson County Toys for Kids giveaway. Toys for Kids is a local program that provides Christmas gifts to children ages newborn to 17 in Jefferson County. All of the money raised and toys received for the program stay in Jefferson County, Sentinel archives state.
“Each year, we serve anywhere from 750 to 1,000 children in Jefferson County,” said Whitney Hodge, board president for Jefferson County Toys for Kids, Inc. “Our hope is always to make sure every child has the Christmas experience that they deserve as well as to lighten the load on parents during what can be a very stressful season. This year, we plan to extend the hours of our giveaway and schedule fewer families during each time slot in hopes that their wait time will be lessened.”
The first registration date for the 2025 program is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Central Christian Church, followed by the second date from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, at Angels on Assignment. Then there will be several dates at Times Square Mall, including from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 15; from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17; from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20; from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23; from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25; and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1.
To qualify for the program, children have to be aged newborn to 17 and be residents of Jefferson County. In order to register, parents/guardians must bring a state-issued photo ID, proof of Jefferson County residency, and documentation of their custody or guardianship of the child. This can include a birth certificate, DHS Medicaid or TANF documents, DCFS placement forms, medical or school documentation with both the parent and child’s name, or a school or church referral.
This year’s toy giveaway day will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, by appointment only. You must be registered to receive toys.
Each year, fundraisers are held to help raise money to provide toys for Jefferson County Toys for Kids. The next fundraiser for this year’s program will be a fried chicken dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, hosted by Mt. Vernon Elks Lodge 819 at 1107 Jordan St. In addition to the dinner, there will be a 50/50 and silent auction. You don’t have to be an Elks member to attend.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 6 to 11. There is no charge for children 5 and under. Carry-out is also available by calling the Elks Lodge at (618) 244-4885. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit Jefferson County Toys for Kids.
“The Elks Chicken Dinner is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Hodge said. “The Elks Lodge is such an amazing supporter of our organization.”
David Laird, manager of the local Elks Lodge, also remarked on the upcoming fundraiser.
“We’re proud to support an organization like Toys for Kids,” Laird said.
According to Sentinel archives, Jefferson County Toys for Kids (JCTFK) started in 1991 when a national toy organization left this area, and there was still a need. That is when a group of community members stepped in to fill the gap. In 2023, JCTFK provided toys for roughly 830 kids in Jefferson County.
For more information on Toys for Kids, call (618) 315-0170, or send an email to jeffcotoysforkids@gmail.com. You can also follow the program on Facebook for updates at Jefferson County Toys for Kids.
