Renovo Rallies Together to Bring Christmas Joy to Local Children
With Toys for Tots on pause, community steps up to make the holidays brighter for area youth
UPDATE:
In a last-minute update received Monday, October 27, there was good news for Western Clinton County. Toys for Tots Assistant Coordinator Jacob Bertin and Coordinator Richard “Doug” Lane with the Lycoming County Toys for Tots answered the call for help and stepped up to the plate. The Williamsport Detachment #388 will proudly serve the area this year.
By Autumn Gavlock
RENOVO — In the face of an unexpected cancellation of the annual Toys for Tots program in Clinton County, the people of Renovo and surrounding communities are proving that holiday spirit is alive and well. When it was announced that the long-standing program would not operate this year due to the resignation of its Lock Haven coordinator, and with no one stepping up to fill the role, the local Salvation Army and area businesses quickly took action.
The Salvation Army Renovo has launched its own toy drive to ensure that children in the region don’t go without gifts this Christmas. Donations of new, unopened toys are now being accepted at the Salvation Army’s Renovo location at 127 7th Street. Beginning in November, collection boxes will also be placed at local businesses throughout the area. Donations will be collected through early December, with boxes scheduled for pickup on December 8 and 10.
The program is focused on supporting children aged 12 and under and aims to cover families living in Renovo, Cross Forks, Hammersley Fork, Hyner, North Bend, and Westport.
Families in need of assistance this holiday season are invited to sign up for the Christmas Program on Wednesday, October 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army Renovo. Applicants will need to bring photo identification, original birth certificates for each child, and current cash assistance paperwork in order to complete registration.
While the loss of the Toys for Tots initiative left a significant gap, the community’s response has been nothing short of remarkable. Local businesses are not only helping to host toy donation boxes but are also offering incentives to encourage participation. One Renovo restaurant, Smitty’s Restaurant, is offering a 10% discount to customers who bring in a new, unwrapped gift for the toy drive.
“We want to help our local families as much as we possibly can,” the business shared in a recent social media post. “Let’s take a little bit of the burden off their shoulders this Christmas and bring smiles to the faces of local children.”
In addition, there has been talk of Salvation Army locations from outside Clinton County stepping up to partner with the Renovo branch to show their support and help ensure that every child in the region experiences the joy of Christmas morning.Further details will be shared on the Renovo Salvation Army’s social media platforms as plans are finalized.
As the season of giving approaches, the people of Renovo are showing what true community looks like. Volunteers, organizations, and residents are coming together to make sure no child is left out during the most magical time of the year.
“We may be a small town, but we have big hearts,” said one volunteer helping coordinate the effort. “When our community has a need, we show up. That’s just what we do.”
For more information about how to donate, volunteer, or sign up for assistance, community members can contact the Salvation Army Renovo at 570-923-1011.
