SHAMOKIN - The local coordinator for Toys for Tots says the need for donations is as high as it's ever been.
Donations, however, are slow coming in, according to Rose Bridgeford, of Shamokin.
She's hopeful the area's first Stuff the Ambulance fundraising event for Toys for Tots, co-sponsored with AREA Services, will jump-start goodwill. It will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in front of GiGi's Gifts and Home Decor at Plaza at Coal Township along Route 61 across from Walmart.
The first 50 people to donate a brand new unwrapped toy will receive coupons and discounts to local businesses.
"People have been asking for applications (for toys) before I put any (collection) boxes out. Everybody seems to be in need," Bridgeford said Sunday.
By mid-November in past years, Bridgeford said she would have already been at a Toys for Tots warehouse, processing applications and organizing toys. She won't make her first trip to the warehouse this year until Friday.
Volunteers worked diligently on a $15 night fundraiser held Friday at Shamokin's Knights of Columbus, and the event worked out well, but turnout wasn't as strong as Bridgeford had hoped.
"Right now, I usually have a couple thousand (dollars). It's not nearly what we had at this time last year, but it's early yet. We're hoping to turn things around," she said.
Kathy Reeder, a member of AREA Services' business development team, said her boss, Bernie Rumberger, came up with the Stuff the Ambulance idea.
Reeder said Rumberger told her, "Go make it a go."
She arranged to hold the event at the Plaza because of its location.
"I thought with traffic, we can get at least 50 people with 50 toys to try and fill an ambulance and put some smiles on kids' faces this year for Toys for Tots," Reeder said.
As a local resident, Reeder said the need for Toys for Tots is easily apparent to her. And the toys stay local, she said.
Should the event draw a large turnout and the ambulance becomes too stuffed, there's a backup plan.
"We'll bring another one up, no problem," Reeder said.
Toys for Tots is operated locally through the Susquehanna Valley Detachment of the Marine Corps League.
Local businesses who have pledged discounts or coupons for Stuff the Ambulance include GiGi's, Buona Pizza, Burger King, McDonald's, Don Patron, Holiday Hair, and Lauren's Hair Boutique. A $25 Weis Markets gift card will be raffled.