SPOKANE, Wash. — Not every child in the Inland Northwest will wake up Christmas morning to find a present under the tree. The Salvation Army wants to change that through its annual toy drive.
The organization is collecting donations through December 23 to serve more than 200 families this holiday season.
The toys will go to children in the Salvation Army’s foster care and transitional housing programs, as well as children that local schools have identified as needing help.
“They just want that simple gift under the tree that’s going to bring them joy, that lets them know that they matter, that someone cared enough to provide for them,” said Nellwyn Barnett of the Salvation Army.
Many children aren’t asking for the latest toys. Instead, they’re requesting basic items like socks.
“They’re not asking for extravagant things. They are asking for very simple things,” Barnett said. “It’s really surprising and incredibly heartwarming to me to see how many of them ask for things for their sibling or for their single parent.”
Deedee Loberg donated because she understands what it’s like to be in need during the holidays.
“I grew up in a single family household with three siblings, a working mom, and she was a waitress. So bare minimum,” Loberg said. “And, I’m sure the Salvation Army helped us out when we were kids.”
The Salvation Army says any type of toy will help make the holidays brighter for these children.
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