Photo courtesy of Sherry Graven

During the holiday season, there are kids and families that have financial hardships and can’t afford Christmas presents for each other.

Greene County New Opportunities is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Greene County Toy Drive. Volunteer Sherry Graven tells Raccoon Valley Radio they are seeking toys for newborns to 14 year olds. She says last year over 300 kids received toys and anticipates the same, if not more, this year, due to rising costs of food and other items. Graven notes toy and monetary donations can be dropped off at the New Opportunities office in Jefferson or at the County Engineer’s office in the Greene County Courthouse until December 16th.

“I feel like the courthouse is an easy place for people to drop off stuff. If they have questions, they can pop in here and ask me. They can give me money, they can Venmo me, whatever they need to do to help with this project is definitely appreciated in the county. It hurts my heart that there’s that many kids that need toys, but I’ll do my best to make sure they get them.”

Graven adds toy distribution is December 20th and she is hoping to make less unfortunate kids and families holidays a little brighter this year.