Salvation Army toy donations trickle in, but not enough
Reporter: Jessica Chapin
TUCSON (KGUN9- TV) - It's a slow start this season for the Salvation Army, as gifts for children in need trickle in. Salvation Army spokesperson Tamara McElwee says they expect to serve 10 thousand children.
"we're going to need about 30 thousand toys and we've only got three thousand right now," she said, "so we've got to make up a lot of ground in about two weeks but Tucsonans always come through. We're really hopeful and as we get closer to the season I hope those toys start coming in fast."
McElwee says she hopes an annual Stuff the Hummers Toy Drive will help kick-off more donations.
"We're hopeful that it's going to kind of be that breaking of the ice for the toy drive," she said.
This year's event will carry more sentiment for many. The drive is partnering with the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation to pay tribute to the 9-year-old girl killed in the January 8 shootings.
"Her interest in getting kids involved and that's really what this is all about," said McElwee, "when we can get kids buying a toy and donating for another child it's really extra special for that child on both ends."
It's a cause John Green, Christina-Taylor's father, says fits their family and the foundation.
"It goes perfectly with our mission statement to help others less fortunate," he said, "Christina would have loved to have been involved in something like this."
Toy drives were always a family event for the Greens, and though this year will be their first Christmas without their daughter, they hope her spirit of giving will carry on.
"We feel like she's there contributing as well," said Green's mother Roxanna.
The family will attend the Stuff the Hummers event Saturday, December 10 at Sullivan's Steak House from 10a.m to noon. They will load toy donations into more than 50 Hummers. There will also be entertainment, celebrity guests and activities for kids.
Then, on December 16, 9 On Your Side and the Salvation Army, along with Sun Tran and Walgreens, will host Stuff the Bus from 6a.m to 6pm near Ina and Thornydale.
For more information about the Salvation Army's other toy drive events, click here.
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