Toy and monetary donations are ramping up this time of year for less fortunate Greene County children.

Sherry Graven is volunteering to help collect unwrapped toys for the Greene County Toy Drive and she says about 310 children have signed up through New Opportunities of Greene County. While she is appreciative of the donations she’s received so far, she encourages more donations to come in for newborns to 15 year-olds.

“You know we need to take care of these kids and Christmas is about kids. And I certainly would hate to see one child go without a toy. I just can’t imagine, it would just break my heart.’”

New Opportunities of Greene County Coordinator Teresa Lansman received a donation earlier this month from the Jefferson Kiwanis Club, Raccoon Valley Radio and Wild Rose Casino and Resort of 65 new toys and $316. She also was the recipient of $10,000 from Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation and Wild Rose in Jefferson. 

“It is a blessing. It takes a burden off of my shoulders knowing that there’s support coming in, that we are able to help so many families. I say it every year, we cannot do this without the help of organizations, without the county, it takes a village to raise a family. We’re so amazed and my heart just swelled with all the love and support that we received.” 

Donations are accepted until December 17th. Collection boxes are at the Jefferson Public Library, Jefferson Fareway, New Opportunities in Jefferson and at the Greene County Engineer’s Office in the Greene County Courthouse.