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Toys for Tots hopes to ‘Fill the Bus’ this weekend By Buffy Pollock Updated: Nov 22, 2022 04:58 PM A A Dennis Bray, a volunteer with Toys for Tots, hauls in a load of toys at the Rogue Valley Mall Monday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Jackson County Toys for Tots is gearing up for the holiday giving season with a new space in the Rogue Valley Mall and a “Fill the Bus” event planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Marking the nationwide organization’s 75th year, Toys for Tots is expecting a busy year around the country and in Southern Oregon. Kevin Campbell, campaign coordinator for Jackson County Toys for Tots, said he’s not sure whether the need will surpass last year — serving 14,000 kids in the aftermath of regional fires — but it’ll likely come close amid rising gas prices and a slew of other post-pandemic factors. This year’s distribution site, donated by Rogue Valley Mall, is a 3,000-square-foot space with access for deliveries and a storefront for families in need — and volunteers willing to pitch in. Campbell said this year’s location is well-suited to the mission at hand. “We’re really excited to get going this year, and the mall is a really good fit for us. The people at the mall have been super gracious, donating the space and helping us get set up,” Campbell said. “Local businesses have been really supportive. Lithia gave us $2,500 this week. Walmart gave us $1,000. Everyone is helping out so much. I would be remiss if I tried to name all the small businesses who have come through for us and given us $500 here and there. Even in these trying times, everyone is going above and beyond to help us pull this off.” Campbell said the mall space has everything needed to accept large-scale deliveries from the national Toys for Tots provider, and to operate a storefront to communicate with would be volunteers and needy families. Overseeing 12 pallets of delivered toys Monday morning, Campbell said sign-ups will remain open until Dec.12 with distribution between Dec. 15 and 18. “We just want to really help to ease the stress of the holidays for local families. In Jackson County last year, we helped over 14,000 kids. I think a lot of it was because of the fires, so who knows if we’ll come close to that number this year. But we already have 500 applications, and we’re getting 25 to 30 every day,” he noted. Campbell, who retired from the Marine Corps after 27 years, said his years in the Marines made him a big fan of the national organization. Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Maj. Bill Hendricks was directed by his wife to donate a handmade doll to an organization that provided toys to needy families. Finding none, he began his own charity. Seven decades later, there are over 830 campaigns across the country that provide gifts to more than 281 million children. Last year in Jackson County, gifts were given to 14,567 kids. “We really believe in what we’re doing. During my own time in the military, I did probably three or four Toys for Tots drives while on active duty,” Campbell said. “And I’ve seen every facet. When I was a really young guy, I was standing there in my uniform next to a box, so I’ve been the guy collecting toys, and I’ve been the guy who was doing the other stuff, back in the warehouse.” Campbell said distribution has expanded this year — from three days to five — allowing parents and other guardians enough time and space to “shop” the rows of toy bins and not feel rushed when they visit the mall space for gifts. “It’s the first time, after a few years with quarantining and all that, where we’ll return to where we let them actually come in and shop and pick out their own items, so we want them to feel like they have plenty of time and they’re not being rushed,” he said. As applications trickle in each day, Campbell said, it’s a constant reminder of the importance of giving old St. Nick a helping hand each year. “We get about 30 applications a day from people in need, and honestly we don’t ever stop taking them if there’s a need to be met,” he said. “Officially, we’re turning off the pipeline (for applications) Dec. 12, but even if we get an email on Christmas Day, we’d try to find a way to help.” The Toys for Tots “Fill the Bus” event this weekend will be set up near the Christmas tree lot in the mall parking lot. Drive up and drop off a toy, or stay and chat, Campbell said. Local military recruiters and other volunteers will staff the events, with local car clubs and motorcycle groups on hand, dropping off and helping with toys. More than 100 local toy drop sites are being hosted at businesses around Jackson County. For a complete list, or for information on volunteering or donating, see jackson-county-or.toysfortots.org or facebook.com/jacksoncountyOregonToysforTots For more information, call 541-778-2228 or email [email protected]. Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 541-776-8784 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal.