THOMASVILLE — The season of giving started early this year as the national initiative Toys for Tots has begun its mission of delivering hope to Thomasville families. 

Since 1947, Toys for Tots has given toys to families nationwide with over 604 million toys distributed to date, according to Toysfortots.org.

Registration for toy drop locations began October 1 and Patrice Parson, Thomasville Toys for Tots coordinator, is looking for more support from local businesses. 

“This year, we’re actually going to do feet to the pavement as far as getting the businesses involved,” she said. “There’s a lot of people that I’ve run into that don’t even know about Toys for Tots.”

With more toy drop locations locally, Parson said there can be a bigger impact in the community. 

“This year, our initiative is to make sure every child has a toy for Christmas and to bridge the community together to make it a bigger program,” she said.

Last year, Toys for Tots donated toys to over 300 families during COVID-19.

This year, Parson plans on almost doubling that number by donating toys to over 500 families around the Thomas County area.

“Hopefully, this year we’ll be doing a whole lot more,” she said. 

Registration for toy drop locations ends December 10 and toy donations will be accepted until the toy distribution on December 19 at the Outreach Center located on 500 West Washington St.

While Toys for Tots is an annual initiative, Parson said this year is a lot more important for local families that depend on the program. 

“COVID has taken everybody by storm. People need help and having Toys for Tots is like a relief,” she said. “Even though they may be lacking something, they can feel rest assured that Toys for Tots can relieve some of that.”

For more information about Toys for Tots visit Thomasville-Georgia.Toysfortots.org.