Toys For Tots Bringing Holiday Cheer to Thousands of Local Children
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Christopher Keegan has coordinated the local Toys For Tots drive for a decade and the need continues to grow.
Last year, it provided gifts to more than 5,700 Berkshire County children. This year, he anticipates that it will be "absolutely more," reaching more than 6,000 kids.
On Wednesday, the Berkshire County House of Correction's storage building looked more like Santa's workshop as volunteers sorted through mountains of toys for newborns to teenagers.
"I’ve been doing this for ten years and the connections that I've made have been great. The volunteers are awesome and, of course, the sheriff's department is a vital component to success in this," Keegan said.
"And I really want to emphasize [Sheriff Thomas Bowler] and his staff, the facility here."
Toys For Tots has about 25 participating agencies that sign up families that need help putting gifts under the tree as well as individuals who register. This year saw more participating agencies and schools.
"And we'll keep taking orders right up to Christmas Eve," Keegan said.
He said they "live and learn" each year but long-standing volunteers keep the operation running smoothly. About 15 to 20 people come in on different days based on work schedules and some even take time off to help.
"We have people who sort, we have people who pack, so it's a pretty good organized chaos, if you will," he said.
The toy drive began in 1947 in Los Angeles. It was spearheaded by Marine Reserve Maj. William Hendricks and became a nationwide campaign in 1948.
At that time, the Marine Corps League joined the effort and has been leading it since. The Toys For Tots Foundation was recognized as a non-profit in 1991 and charitable donations were able to be accepted.
Keegan stepped in as the Berkshire County coordinator after becoming a Marine Corps League Pittsfield Detachment 137 member in 2015. At his first meeting, he was ordered to take over the effort and has positively impacted it since.
He was nominated as iBerkshire's Community Hero of the Month for September, a series in partnership with Haddad Auto that recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted their community.
As an employee of the maintenance department, Keegan's leadership has led to the Sheriff's Office becoming involved by loaning storage space for the toys and vehicles for their pickup.
He said aside from public safety duties, the Sheriff’s Office does a lot for the community that people may not be aware of — this being a great example.
On Saturday, Live 95.9 personalities Slater and Marjo will host a Toys For Tots challenge at The Dog Ranch and The Proprietor's Lodge. Keegan said they have been very supportive of the drive.
Donations are still being accepted and there is always a need for toys that appeal to older kids.
For inquiries about the program, Keegan can be reached at 413-443-7220, Ext. 1150, or at christopher.keegan@sdb.state.ma.us.
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