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County Toys For Tots Kickoff Is Friday

Chautauqua County Toys for Tots will hold its 2022 kick-off at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Southern Tier Distillery’s Empty Bottle, 2051 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood.

The kick-off is being held in conjunction with the first Toys for Tots fundraiser of the season, “First FriYay” held at Southern Tier Distillery.

Toys for Tots coordinators Patrick Smeraldo, Terri Johnson and Heather Brown will host guests and area officials for a brief welcome and kick off announcement at 4:30 p.m. just prior to the fundraiser which starts at 5 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m.

The event will feature Celebrity Guest bartenders including Mike Roberts of Allied Alarm, Amy Rohler of United Way of Sothern Chautauqua County, Rich Bianco of Exceptional Star Athletics, Jamie Billquist of Rosie’s Run, Aaron Lee and Nick Kahanic, both from the AJ Strong charity. A portion of the of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots along with a basket giveaway and other evnets. Those bringing a new unwrapped toy will be entered to win a Christmas prep basket.

Locally the Toys for Tots program has been coordinated for 22 years. It started by supporting nine families in need in the area and partnered with the program in the Buffalo area to become a full local community organization a few years later. In 2021, Chautauqua County Toys for Tots was able to provide toys to 4,390 children in 1,641 families in the community.

Toys for Tots began 75 years ago. A single hand-knitted doll turned into a nationwide flagship children’s Christmastime charity and much more. The Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 when Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and the Marines in his Reserve unit collected more than 5,000 toys in 1947 and delivered them to children in need in the Los Angeles area.

Since then, Toys for Tots has grown to include 830 campaigns across the United States. In 74 years, 281 million children in need have been supported through the program, locally and through partnerships across the country.

Each year prior to the pandemic, Chautauqua County Tots for Tots awarded an annual recognition to a supporter, volunteer or donor who exemplified the mission and showed dedication to support the less fortunate in the community. Past winners included Nancy Ingram, John Volk, Cole Anzalone, Leanna Luka-Conley, Marge Keefe, Doug and Maria McSkimming, Corey Rasmussen, Jason Williams, Jeff Kresge, Dennis Webster, Saxton, Kocur Associates LLP, Jamestown Pediatrics, Carl Williams, Christine Baker, Lakewood Rod & Gun Women’s Auxiliary, Mike Roberts and Evelyn Wright-Kegelmyer.

Beginning in 2022, the annual recognition will now be named the Jason M. Williams Memorial Toys for Tots award. Williams was a dedicated Toys for Tots volunteer who spearheaded many successful charity events as the master of ceremonies and performer with his comedy troupe, The Lights of Broadway. Williams passed away unexpectedly in June 2019. Local Toys for Tots organizers will announce the winner of the inaugural Jason M. Williams Toys for Tots award on Dec. 17 as the group wraps up its distribution.

For more information email Jamestown.ny@toysfortots.org or find Chautauqua County, New York – Toys for Tots 2022 on Facebook.

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