FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — For the last few weeks, Mercedes Jones has been helping inside this warehouse five days a week.
“There is a lot of board games. Just a lot of stuff for them to do on break, sports sets.,” Jones said.
This is her 9th year volunteering with Toys for Tots.
It’s been a labor of love since she was hooked during her very first giveaway.
” The kids are like, ‘Are we getting toys? Is this really free?’ and the parents saying ‘yeah, let’s get in line.’ It goes from there. They are so happy, the parents and kids,” Jones said.
By her side, her daughter and best friend.
All of them enjoying holiday music while sorting through thousands of donated toys, knowing they’ll all end up in the hands of excited local children very soon.
“It’s our community, so it feels extra special,” Jones said.
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For 12 years, Jessica Montano has coordinated the Fresno and Madera Toys for Tots Chapter.
A challenging but rewarding responsibility. She says this year, the need is even greater.
“Our need has gone from 50,000 to 60,000 kids for this area, so that is a big jump,” Montano said.
Toys for Tots serves children ages 0 to 12.
Montano says it’s the smiles, tight hugs, and tears of joy on the faces of families who don’t have the means during trying times that make all the effort worth it.
“To know that a kid, they understand that somebody is thinking of them, somebody is working for them so that they can have something that is theirs during Christmas Time is worth all the other stuff,” Montano said.
Montano says they always notice more children ages 8 to 12 and asks the community to donate with that age group in mind, if possible.
Another challenge this year was getting their boxes in on time and printed so you might see them look a little different, but they still hold the same meaning.
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