Toys for Tots is up to the challenge in Ocala/Marion County
Editor's note: This story has been revised to reflect that the Charlie Horse fundraiser will be held Sunday, Dec. 6. The wrong day was listed in the original story.
Marion County Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program coordinator Patrick Joynt said the coronavirus pandemic has hurt toy donations this year — but the U.S. Marines always complete their mission.
In fact, Joynt said he intends to meet or increase the number of toys this year.
"We're several thousands of toys short now but we will make our goal by December 14," said Joynt, a Marine veteran of the Persian Gulf War. He has served with the local program since 2012 and been coordinator for the past four years.
Last year, the annual drive distributed 42,087 new toys to 9,293 children ages infant to 12 in Marion County. Joynt is hoping individual donors and corporate givers like Wayne's World of Paintball on South Pine Avenue, the top donor for at least 15 years, and Charlie Horse Restaurant, which is holding a fundraiser this weekend, will make up the shortage in the home stretch.
This year's toy drive started Oct. 1 and toys will be collected through Dec. 14. The toys will be distributed to applicants through Dec. 16.
Joynt has dealt with changes in the program, has had cash stolen from donation boxes, and has navigated other difficulties over the years.
Last year, a man and woman in their 20s were identified from a video as suspects in stealing an estimated $500 from a Toys For Tots cash donation box at a fast food restaurant in Belleview, according to a Belleview Police Department report.
But all those challenges pale in comparison to the current one: the pandemic.
Joynt said a major Florida-based grocery chain did not allow the familiar Toys For Tots toy donation boxes in their multiple local locations this year. The reason: the pandemic.
The local program has 300 large cardboard toy donation boxes for new, unwrapped toys and 100 cash donation containers. Joynt said local businesses and groups step up each year to support the toy drive.
Wayne's World of Paintball, 4841 S. Pine Ave., Ocala, has an annual Halloween "Haunted Trail" event and donates proceeds to Marion County Toys For Tots. A second event with proceeds to the toy drive is scheduled for this weekend.
Joynt said Wayne's World of Paintball has given a $12,000 donation so far this year. He estimated the business has given at least $125,000 over the years.
The donation from the second event will be added to the amount already donated.
Jackie Dollack with Wayne's World said she appreciates the focus of the Marion County Toys For Tots drive on local children.
Wayne's World also gives to Cathy's Kids, an outreach founded by a former Ocala Fire Rescue firefighter. It provides holiday shopping trips for children.
Charlie Horse Restaurant, 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., is holding an unwrapped toy and cash donation fundraiser for Marion County Toys For Tots on Sunday, from noon to 7 p.m. at the restaurant. The event will include music, raffles and a corn hole tournament, according to a press release from restaurant general manager Jem Chapman.
Charlie Horse co-owner Jon McGraw stated in the release that the event is a way for the restaurant to help children In the Ocala community have a good Christmas, even during a difficult year.
The Punishers Motorcycle Club will have a toy run that starts at O'Callahan's Pub and Eatery, 3155 E. Silver Springs Blvd., at 10:30 a.m. and arrive at Charlie Horse at 1:30 p.m., the release stated.
Dollack, from Wayne's World, said she would be honored if another business in Ocala topped their donation this year.
More:From 2018:
Joynt estimates it would take over $13,000 to top the Wayne's World of Paintball total donation this year.
"We double dare any business," Dollack quipped.
Chapman said the restaurant will try to beat the Wayne's World of Paintball donations.
Joynt said Dollar General is a huge supporter and allows toy donation boxes in stores throughout the county; Badcock Furniture has helped with warehousing materials and Sam's Club has been a major supporter as well, he said.
Winn-Dixie and Harvey's grocery stores have mounted a drive to donate bicycles. Last year, they donated 18 bikes, Joynt said.
The MoPar Club of Ocala supplied about three and a half pickup bed loads of toys, four bicycles and a cash donation, Joynt stated.
Columbus-Pacific Retail donated the floor space for the collection center at Heath Brook at Market Street shopping mall.
Area outreaches including Greater New Hope, Brothers Keeper, Dunnellon Police Department, Sisk Family Ministries, Food for Christ and Help Agency of the Forest are acting as centers to apply for toys by Zip Code.
Complete local information on how to donate or contact the nearest outreach to apply for toys is available at www.ocala-fl.toysfortots.org.
According to toysfortots.org, the program began in 1947 when Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Bill Hendricks' wife, Diane, asked him to find an agency to deliver her handmade dolls as gifts to children.
Bill Hendricks then enlisted the aid of his reserve unit and they delivered 5,000 toys. The effort went nationwide in 1948, the website states.
Bill Hendricks was director of public relations at Warner Brothers Studio and got many celebrities to help the cause, including Walt Disney, who designed the first poster with the familiar three-car train logo, the website states.
The Toys For Tots program now distributes an average of 18 million toys to 7 million needy children annually.
A visit to the collection center at Heath Brook at Market Street revealed toys like Nerf guns, K'Nex plastic assembly kits and dolls, all categorized by age. Joynt has about 800 books to distribute as part of the Toys for Tots Literature Program.
Joynt shops and buys toys on deals and discounts. He is also donating four video game systems to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County.
"They should last for several years and affect hundreds of kids," he said.
Joynt said he wanted to especially thank all the local donors and the many volunteers who help make Christmas brighter for thousand of Marion County kids.