Toys For Tots Mix-Up Has Local Charities Asking For Last-Minute Donations

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Toys for Tots is known for making the holidays special for kids by making sure they get a toy.

But some local charities believe there was some kind of mix up involving Toys for Tots this year because they received no toys to pass out to local children.

"We have a lot of kids who are homeless or in shelters," said Theresa Germany from Sisters Helping Sisters.

She'll have 400 kids at a party this weekend, but no toys to pass out.

It's a similar story at The Pittsburgh Project on the North Side. The tables that would normally have gifts for kids are empty.

Interim Director Will Thompkins says the staff told parents they weren't going to get any Toys for Tots this year.

"They were pretty disappointed," said Thompkins.

Both groups say they've been involved with Toys for Tots for years, and don't know what happened. Both say they submitted their applications on time, but Toys for Tots told them that they never received them.

And those two groups are not alone. Thompkins and Germany listed five other local organizations that are in the same boat.

Germany is hoping the community hears what happened and steps up to help with last-minute toy donations.

"It's very important the kids get something for Christmas," said Germany.

Her group will be collecting donations at the Lincoln Park Community Center in Penn Hills Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

They can also be reached at 412-452-7292.

KDKA was unsuccessful getting a response from Toys for Tots Thursday evening.

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