THANKS TO COMMUNITY GENEROSITY TOY DRIVE SHINING BRIGHT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2009 

Contact: Debbie Benavente, Human Services
559.737.4660

THANKS TO COMMUNITY GENEROSITY TOY DRIVE SHINING BRIGHT

Tulare County Businesses and Organizations Integral Piece of Toy Drive’s Success

VISALIA –The Tulare County Child Welfare Services (CWS) and Friends of Tulare County annual "Brighten a Child's Winter Sky" toy drive is off to a great success thanks to the support of Tulare County businesses, agencies, and community members. CWS and Friends of Tulare County began collecting toys in October, and will continue to accept donations through Friday, December 11th.

The CWS Toy Drive has been honored to receive generous community support and donations in past years, and 2009 has proven to be no different. Inspired by the work of the Visalia Harley Davidson’s Tulare County Toy Run and the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.), the CWS and Friends of Tulare County Brighten a Child’s Winter Sky Toy Drive would not be possible without the generosity of the following:

  • G for Kids Bikers United
  • The Tulare County Toy Run and Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.)
  • The office of James Wa, DDS
  • Wal-Mart of Tulare and Wal-Mart of Porterville
  • Wells Fargo Corporate 
  • GayVisalia.com
  • Promesa Behavioral Health Foster/Adoption Agency

"So many wonderful businesses and individuals have stepped up to assist us with our Toy Drive,” said Renee Smylie, Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency Deputy Director of Child Welfare Services. “The work that they have done, and continue to do, will create a brighter holiday for the children within our Child Welfare System.”

Although foster and group homes receive monetary allowances to aide them in providing the very basic of necessities such as clothing and food, as the holidays near, it can be difficult to stretch that allowance to include additional costs, particularly when hard times are upon us, as we are all experiencing the current economic downturn. The CWS Toy Drive aims to provide at least one new gift to each child under the supervision of the Tulare County Juvenile Court system, which on average is approximately 1,500 children.

Making a donation is easier as there are several collection sites hosted by event partners throughout Tulare County:

  • Advance America, with nine locations through out Tulare County
  • Save Mart Supermarket
  • Lotus Center for Health in Tulare
  • CSET of Visalia

Those listed are just a few of the supportive businesses and agencies that have committed to making a child’s holiday more special, as there are over 30 donation drop-off locations throughout Tulare County including Visalia, Woodlake, Dinuba, Lindsay, Porterville, and Tulare, donating a special toy for a deserving child couldn’t be easier.

Donating to the CWS Toy Drive is as easy as visiting www.tularehhsa.org. Following the easy steps, you can choose the age and gender of the child for whom you would like to buy a gift. Print out the star with the child’s information and attach the star to the unwrapped gift(s) you are donating and drop if off at one of the many donation locations. Please note, for health and safety reasons; please no gifts or toys that promote violence or adult related themes. We ask that all donations are positive and age appropriate in nature.
For additional details on the CWS Toy Drive, the locations of specific drop-off sites, and how you can print a star to provide a toy for a specific little boy or girl, visit www.tularehhsa.org.


Media Contact:
Allison M. Lambert, Media Specialist
Health & Human Services Agency
559.737-4660 Ext.2607