Pocono News Section

Applications Available for Toys for Tots Program

Applications Available for Toys for Tots Program - Monday, November 9, 2009 at 1:44PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Nov 9, 2009 @ 01:44pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - With the holiday season quickly approaching, a popular program that needs families got underway Monday morning in Lackawanna County. Applications are now being accepted for the Toys for Tots program.

A steady stream of parents went into the Catholic Social Services Building in South Scranton Monday morning. Families were all signing up for the program.

"It's really important especially with this economy. It's ridiculous. I mean, a lot of people are getting laid off. The economy is terrible," Xiomara Chank said.

Chank has three children. It is the first time she's needed help.

"It's something less to have to worry about on top of all the bills everyday," Chank said.

The Toys for Tots program provides new toys to children from low-income families. The toys will be given out in mid-December.

"The economy is not really, really good, so we need some help sometimes," Grisel Roldam of Scranton said.

Administrators say because of the bad economy, this may be a record breaking year for applications.

"If any year, this program is important I think this is one of the years that it's most important because of the family situation that's going on," Alejandra Marroquin of Catholic Social Services said.

Stacy Kelly has two kids and signed up for the program Monday.

"Due to the fact of not having a job right now, being laid off and not being able to find nothing, to give the kids something for Christmas, it's kind of real important for us," Kelly said.

Kelly says seeing his kids faces light up on Christmas morning will make it all worth it.

"It was good for us when we were kids and I loved it and I want them to have the same. If I have to come here to get them something that's just what I'm going to do," Kelly said.

Applications for the Toys for Tots program are being accepted all week.

There are two locations: 516 Fig Street in Scranton and 39 South Main Street in Carbondale. The applications will be accepted daily between 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

In order to register, parents must bring with them...

-A photo ID
-Verification of income for everyone in the household
-Social Security/Access card for everyone in the household
-Proof of Address with a recent date on it