FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 14, 2014, Bluffton, SC, Bluffton Self Help will offer families who register for Christmas toys at the agency’s address in Sheridan Park, the opportunity to shop and select the toys for their children this holiday season in an actual TOY SHOP.
“In the past, families registered and told us what toys their children wanted,” explained John Orth, head elf and board member. “Then the toys were selected for the children by the volunteers, based on what was available. They were then placed in large black bags to be picked up by the parents on a designated day.”
But this year, Bluffton Self Help board of directors voted to give the gifts of choice and dignity to the parents.
“Our families know their children and what they want,” said Orth.
The Bluffton Self Help Toy Store is located at 39 Sheridan Park Circle in Unit 9, a space next door to the agency’s main office. The front of the store will offer a reception area where parents will wait to shop without their children. When it is a parent’s turn to shop, they will be accompanied by a volunteer and permitted to select two to three toys based on what’s available. The toys will be color-coded based on their value.
“The toy store is being decorated by women of Colleton River as part of their Operation Santa Claus program. They will be decorating the reception area plus the actual Toy Shop, located in the rear of the office space.
The Bluffton Self Help Toy Shop opens for business on December 10 through December 20, but pre-registration to participate begins on Monday, November 3.
Registration will be held at Bluffton Self Help’s main office at 39 Sheridan Park Circle, Unit 10. This is where the clothing and food are available to clients Monday through Friday. Times to registration are Mondays from 10 am to 3 pm and Wednesdays from 4 to 6 pm through December 8.
To register for the Toy Shop and be given an appointment time, parents in need of toys for the holiday are required to provide proof of Bluffton residency with an utility bill in their name, a copy of each child’s birth certificate, name of school the child attends and proof of guardianship, if name is different than the parent registering for the Toy Shop. Families living in Hampton and Jasper counties can register at BSH if they want to shop in the Toy Store but they must also bring all the required paperwork.
“It’s important that the parents understand that their children are not permitted to participate in the shopping experience,” explained Lili Coleman, executive director. “These toys are donated by community members and businesses to make sure no child goes without a toy on Christmas morning or whenever the family celebrates their holiday.”
Donors wishing to donate toys should bring new, unwrapped toys to Bluffton Self Help. This year the sponsor program, where residents sponsor a family and purchase toys for the children will not be available.
“The success of this program depends on toy donations from community members, businesses and individuals,” explained Coleman. “We also receive donations through the WSAV-TV Holiday Hope promotion.”
For more information contact Bluffton Self Help at 843-757-8000. Information will also be available on Bluffton Self Help’s Facebook page and by visiting www.blufftonselfhelp.org.
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