Doll and Toy Fund returns for 115th year
The approach of the Christmas season means the approach of another New Orleans holiday tradition, the 115th distribution of toys to needy children through The Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund.
This year the event will be Dec. 18 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, said fund chairman Ronald McDonald.
McDonald, 75, has volunteered at the annual event for decades, arriving first as a Boy Scout. Later, he helped keep the event running smoothly as a reserve police officer. For the past two years he has served as chairman of the event's organizing committee.
As in past years, children under 12 can come to the Convention Center guaranteed to leave with one free toy, provided by months of private and corporate donations, McDonald said.
This year each child will also receive a snack bag of cookies or crackers and fruit. And children can have their pictures taken with Santa Claus, delivered to them before their departure.
Organizers expect this year's event will probably attract 2,000 to 2,500 children.
Children do not need tickets or invitations to enter the distribution site and participate in the giveaway.
The doors to the Convention Center's Hall A will open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 a.m. The distribution will begin at about 9:30 a.m.
The fund will also distribute tickets for free bus rides back home, if necessary, McDonald said.
Besides those whose donations help the fund purchase toys, McDonald said the event is regularly supported by groups of civilian and military volunteers, including students from Warren Easton Charter High School, Bonnabel High School, the Destrehan High School ROTC and Army Reservists from the Army Reserve's 377th Theater Sustainment Command.
In addition to the Dec. 18 giveaway, the Doll and Toy Fund supports similar efforts by organizations in Destrehan, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Folsom, Chalmette and Kenner, McDonald said.
The fund accepts contributions of cash, checks or money orders, but not toys, at The Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund, P.O. Box 61065, New Orleans, LA 70161-9979.
More information is available at 504.826.3622 or www.tpdollandtoyfund.org.
Bruce Nolan can be reached at bnolan@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3344.
