Toys for Tots expects demand for toys to be high in N.C. this holiday season – Spectrum News

Toys for Tots expects demand for toys to be high in N.C. this holiday season  Spectrum News

Toys for Tots in Charlotte expects to see higher demand for toys this holiday season. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Toys for Tots in Charlotte expects to see higher demand for toys this holiday season. The nonprofit’s holiday season kicked off October 1. It is asking the public to donate toys because it expects more children to be in need of gifts this year. “We want to ensure that all of these children that are needing assistance this upcoming holiday receive an open toy for Christmas," Sgt. Justin Schmidt said. Thousands of children across North Carolina received gifts from Toys for Tots last year, including 83,297 in the Greater Raleigh area and 4,635 in the Charlotte area.

Schmidt said he expects the nonprofit to serve between 5,000 and 6,000 children in Charlotte this year. “In the past few years, we've seen a trend where families have become more and more in need of toys,” he said. Representatives from Charlotte nonprofits gathered Monday to learn how they can apply to receive toys for children they serve. “Due to the economy right now, the need has gotten very, very large,” said LaGina McClinton, the executive director of Youth Empowerment Services. “Parents are just struggling,” said Quadasha Mcilwaine, the founder of Licensed 2 Heal Project. “Starting in the beginning of the year, they're reaching out