Before our social gatherings were suspended for safety concerns due to the coronavirus, the Winters Senior Foundation (WSF) annually held a Christmas dinner event each year where they would gather together and host a toy drive for the Winters Fire Department’s Gifts for Kids program.
This year, WSF is asking the community to help support the Gifts for Kids program and to donate toys for Winters youth.
“As part of that yearly event we asked those attending to bring a Christmas gift for children to be donated to the Winters Fire Department for its yearly Gift for Kids drive,” said Jerry Lowden, WSF President. “This year the Fire Department barrels around town appear to be one quarter full and your donations are really needed. Please do what you can to help others.”
Winters Fire annually hosts a toy drive to help families who are facing challenging times and need support in providing their children with toys for the holiday. The program underwent a name change this year and will be called “Gifts for Kids” going forward. Mendoza said there was confusion with the old name which was being confused with the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. While the local area’s Marines toy donation program serves all of Yolo County, some Winters families, due to hardships, may be unable to make the drive to Woodland to participate. WFD’s Gifts for Kids directly serves those who live within Winters.
Winters Fire was recently out collecting Fill the Boot donations at this year’s Holiday Tractor Parade and Winters Wonderland events.
Fire Captain Cheyne Baumgart told the Express that WFD is tentatively planning to host a donation drop off for Dec. 18 in the downtown area. Traditionally, some local businesses also set up donation bins for people to drop off toys.
A toy donation drive is scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Green River Brewing & Taproom.
“Unfortunately there are so many variables that factor in exactly how long and how much participation I will have that it is still probably best to have people follow our social media for when and where to donate if they would like. People can always stop by the station to make donations as well,” Baumgart said.
Lowden is also encouraging community members to bring toy donations in to the fire department.
“All gifts go to Winters kids, please support this wonderful program,” said Lowden.
