Toys for Tots drive still going
December 11, 2008
By Ari Cetron
New – Dec. 11 10:34 a.m.
Amy Jarboe didn’t mean it to sound like a dare.
During an all city staff meeting, employees brought toys for City Hall’s Toys for Tots drive.
Jarboe, a Sammamish police officer who coordinates the drive in City Hall, collected the toys.
“These toys just bring joy to my heart,” Jarboe said.
As she scanned the donations, she joked with everyone.
“I said, ‘last year we even had a bicycle, this year, there’s no bicycle,’” she said.
At that moment, some in the audience began hatching a scheme.
“Someone leaned forward and whispered in my ear, ‘Let’s get a bike,’” sad Pete Butkus, deputy city manager.
That was all the encouragement Butkus needed. He went to city employees asking everyone to chip in so they could add a bike to the pile of toys for needy children.
Between the donations, and the help of the Pacific Bicycle Company and Fred Meyer in Issaquah, they were able to purchase four bikes, two boys and two girls.
Butkus said they are also equipping each bike with a helmet.
“Just think of the faces of these little kids Christmas morning,” Jarboe said.
Butkus said the staff donations came up with an extra $80 left over, which they will donate to Toys for Tots.
According to Jarboe, that money will likely be needed.
Toys for Tots is a non-profit organization administered by the U.S. Marine Corps. Every year, they collect donated toys and distribute them to needy families for Christmas presents.
“Things are slower than last year,” she said. “From what I understand, the warehouses are pretty low.”
But there is still time, Jarboe said.
People who want to make donations to Toys for Tots can do so through Dec. 18. Bring new, unwrapped toys to City hall during normal business hours and leave it in the bucket in front of the police station.
Editor Ari Cetron can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 233 or Samrev@isspress.com.
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