LEXINGTON – Local families can get a head-start on holiday shopping and donate a toy for a child in need this Saturday.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lexington Senior Civic Center, a Holiday Bazaar & Toy Drive benefit local businesses as well as local children on behalf of Toy Time. The event will feature more than 30 local vendors including nonprofits, crafters and local small businesses.
This is the first year for the Holiday Bazaar, co-organized by Jen Davis and Andrea Smith, and originally it started as just a shopping event. Then Smith had the idea of expanding the need.
“I personally know the director of Toy Time and it seemed like a good time of year to do that and help them out,” Smith said. “It’s a win-win for both of us, it generates more traffic for the event plus donations for them.”
Every person that brings a new or gently used toy to donate on Saturday will be entered into a drawing for prizes that come from the local businesses represented at the bazaar.
“It’s a fun little event for people to get out and do some holiday shopping and also help support the toy drive,” Smith said. “Everybody seems to be excited, we have a lot of interest.”
Toy Time director Teresa Boner said she was happy to get on board when Smith reached out to partner with the organization.
“Every little bit helps,” Boner said.
Toy Time has a long history of ringing in the holidays for underprivileged children throughout Richland County. Boner’s father, Ken Cole, started the organization in 1967. She took over as director after his death seven years ago.
Toy Time accepts both new and used toys to give to children over the holidays, a unique aspect that sets it apart from other similar organizations. Boner said the organization is especially in need of toys for older children.
“Anything for older kids helps,” she said. “We give up to age 10, so anything within that 6 to 10 age range. It’s really hard to get stuff for older kids because they’re all about technology.”
Toy Time officially opened for the season on Nov. 1. Its distribution days this year fall on Dec. 10 and 11. Anyone looking to volunteer can call and set up a time to come in at 419-522-8900.
Anyone wishing to apply for Toy Time can sign up at Toy Time headquarters from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 280 N. Diamond St. Applicants must bring a photo I.D. and Social Security cards of the children in their care, but otherwise there are no requirements to register.
“There is no stipulation to sign up, if you feel you need help for Christmas this year and live in Richland County you can go to our building and sign up,” Boner said.
