WARRENSBURG – Johnson County’s Toys for Tots is gearing up for its annual Christmas gifts distribution and is seeking donations and volunteers.
Last year, Toys for Tots struggled to receive larger donations. Monica Mitcheltree, an Air Force veteran, marketer and social media manager for Johnson County’s Toys for Tots, said recovery from the coronavirus pandemic might have had something to do with a lack of donations in 2022.
“It was struggling, I feel, because people were just trying to get back in the groove of things and everybody was hurting,” Mitcheltree said. “I feel it was hurting because we couldn’t get the word of mouth, we couldn’t get the word out there.”
Both Mitcheltree and Johnson County Toys for Tots Coordinator Jerome Coleman are striving to collect more donations this year. Coleman said that along with Mitcheltree running the social media accounts and reaching out to businesses and individuals, he has been going door to door to businesses with flyers that contain QR codes. He said the flyers contain information about the mission, goal and foundation of the organization. It also asks for a partnership with the business through donations in the form of funds, gas gift cards and meal vouchers, service waivers and discounts, warehouse and office supplies, advertisements, and time. It gives instructions on how to donate in person, by mail, and online.
“I’m getting more exposure out there this year,” Coleman said. “If the community participates and donates and gives support to Toys for Tots, a chain reaction is going to occur. We need community outpouring to help us get these toys to these kids.”
The flyer also has QR codes available for those who would like to volunteer. Although based in Warrensburg, Coleman says he services Johnson, Pettis, Henry, Lafayette and Benton counties, so the more volunteers, the better. Coleman said more volunteers are going to be needed to help with toy distribution.
“We are always seeking volunteers,” Coleman said. “Last year, we served over 2,500 kids. The year before that, it was over 2,000. I think we’re going to surpass the 3,000 range.”
Mitcheltree said those wanting to donate or sign up to volunteer can do so at warrensburg-mo.toysfortots.org.
Coleman, Mitcheltree, and the rest of the Toys for Tots team are hoping to become as big in the other counties they serve as they are in Johnson County.
“I will hopefully get the word out to other counties about Toys for Tots and about what we do as far as servicing children in need and that we need funds,” Coleman said.
Coleman said he has been serving his community for the last 40 years and he loves it. He said he wants to continue doing positive things for the community, which is one of the reasons why he got involved with Toys for Tots.
However, Toys for Tots in Johnson County got its start through its former coordinator, Mike Spencer. Spencer said that around 2010, he decided to inquire about starting a Toys for Tots program for the Johnson County area because there was none. He then realized there wasn’t a Toys for Tots organization in Pettis, Henry, Lafayette and Benton counties either. Spencer started up the organization and ran it for 12 years until he passed the baton to Coleman.
Annelia Nixon can be reached at 660-747-8123.
