Tuesday, December 07, 1999

The story on toys: More kids are needy

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BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Marine Sgts. Christopher Minges and Darian Roberts sort toys at the Marines' Toys for Tots warehouse. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Tristate charitable groups expect to play Santa Claus to thousands more children this year than in previous years — part of the fallout of welfare reform, some officials say.

        It's a trend that appears to defy the robust economy.

        “There is a big increase in requests from families,” said U.S. Marine Capt. Alonzo Mays, a Tristate coordinator for the Toys for Tots campaign.

        Capt. Mays said that during last year's holiday season, the Toys for Tots campaign distributed 43,000 toys to needy children. But this year requests from needy families are up. He estimated that more than 60,000 toys will be distributed in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana before Christmas Day.

        “It's hard to believe because the economy is doing so well,” he said.

        Other programs that provide toys for needy kids are seeing the same thing.

        Salvation Army spokesman Matt Pearce said Monday that more poor families have applied to receive donated gifts for their children this year, and that the social service agency has extended its sign-up period through today.

        “Year after year the numbers keep going up but especially this year,” Mr. Pearce said. At this time last year, Salvation Army offices in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky had processed about 1,800 requests from needy families for toys.

HOW TO HELP

A number of area charities are accepting toys for needy children. Some of the major organizations include: • The Salvation Army: 762-8600. • Volunteers of America: 381-1954. • Toys For Tots: 751-8697. • Brighton Center in Newport: 431-5649. • Be Concerned Inc. in Covington: 291-6789. • Family Service of Middletown: 423-4637. • The Wish Tree Program: 852-1895.

        This year more than 2,160 families have asked for help.

        Officials from the Tristate chapter of the Volunteers of America said requests for toys have exceeded the total for the entire holiday season last year, when 105 area families asked for assistance.

        “We've seen a dramatic increase this year, with more than 140 families applying so far,” said Lee Schaefer, director of resource development. Officials of the charitable agencies were reluctant to point to any one factor for the jump in low-income families seeking donated toys. But they were uniform in citing the impact of welfare reform measures as one of the reasons.

        Some said the recent strong economy has not created a rising tide that lifts all citizens. Many poor families are doing better but may still lack discretionary income for holiday toys.

        Maurice Maxwell, executive director of Family Service of Middletown, said more families fall into the “working poor” ranks of the low income, rather than the destitute.

        “These working poor are people who could be eligible for public assistance but have moved off it” because of the welfare reforms of recent years, Mr. Maxwell said.

        “But the jobs they are working at don't pay enough that they can move completely to independent status,” he said.

        Money is tight for Ruth Cress of Middletown and she said she deeply appreciates the toys provided by the agency. She is helping to raise a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl.

        “It gives us a chance to do something for the kids at Christmas,” said Ms. Cress, whose family income makes her eligible to receive both food and toy assistance from Family Service.

        Last year the agency handled 298 applications for toys for disadvantaged families. This year it has processed 334 applications.

        Figuring out why is not a prime concern for charity officials. Their priority is to make sure each needy Tristate child has at least one toy during the holidays.

        “It's a simple gesture with tremendous impact,” said Robert Mecum, executive director of Lighthouse Youth Services.

        “The need is great. Children served by our programs are often unwanted. That trauma makes them feel unaccepted in society. A gift for one of these children makes them feel wanted and happy,” said Mr. Mecum, whose East Walnut Hills agency offers home-based counseling and emergency residential housing for youth.

       

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