For those who do not believe in Santa Claus, one might not understand the Toys for Tots program. A year ago, the Cleveland Browns went to the Toys for Tots warehouse and invited children in need. The players got to meet the children and gave them gifts for Christmas themselves. This act of kindness may seem small to some; however, to those in need, this act of giving provides much more. Throughout the holiday season, organizations like Toys for Tots and The Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank receive an increase in donations and volunteer efforts.

Toys for Tots works to provide underprivileged children with presents to unwrap on Christmas morning. Whether it is a Barbie doll or a small Nerf gun, these gifts lift children’s spirits and give them the holiday they deserve. Cuyahoga County Toys for Tots coordinator, Gunnery Sergeant Shuler expressed why Toys for Tots was created.

“Toys for Tots was created because there were a need for this type of work out in the communities. It actually started out in California when the wife of a reserve marine actually made a teddy bear and asked her husband to give it to a kid that was deserving of it . . . That one teddy bear is how the whole program started and has grew into what it is today,” Shuler said.

Shuler noted that people can donate and volunteer with the Toys for Tots program throughout the year; however, they receive the most donations throughout Christmastime. Shuler noted that the Cleveland Browns are a huge part of the organization’s success. Toys for Tots has drives at the games and is starting to work with the Lake Erie Monsters. He believes this season starts to “trigger everybody’s minds” that Toys for Tots is starting. He explained why he believes people donate more during this season.

“I think they donate more around the holidays because everyone gets in the spirit around that time. Throughout the rest of the year . . . . if it’s not ringing in your ear or you’re not seeing [donations] advertised, then the thought process isn’t really there,” Shuler said.

If one cannot afford to donate with an organization such as Toys for Tots, volunteering is another option. Kat Pestian, Public Relations and Communications Specialist with the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, discussed why volunteers are needed to make the Food Bank run.

“1 in 7 individuals in our community is food insecure. [The] Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank [is] helping improve the lives of those in our community facing hunger, but we can’t do it alone. Every time you volunteer with us, you leave knowing you’ve helped place food on the tables of our neighbors in need,” Pestian said.

Volunteers with the Food Bank work on “hands-on projects” such as sorting, inspecting, labeling and repacking food; however, individuals with a knack for other things can work in the offices or at special events throughout the year. Pestian commented on why she believes volunteerism rises during the holiday season and why Christmas time is crucial to the Food Bank.

“Around the holiday season, attention typically turns to those who are struggling and find it difficult to celebrate because they’ve fallen on hard times . . . 40 percent of our total financial contributions for the year are donated during the holiday season. These donations then determine how much food we are able to distribute throughout the year,” Pestian said.

The Food Bank offers volunteer opportunities in groups or individually for people of all ages. Those under sixteen, however, should be accompanied by an adult. According to Pestian, the Food Bank hosted over 6,800 volunteers last year, totaling the time of nineteen full-time employees.

Whether one prefers to donate or volunteer this holiday season, Pestian explained that volunteering with the Food Bank involves more than just food; the time given will allow families to share a meal around the holiday table “where memories are made.” Shuler, on the other hand, explained why donating is important.

“It is important to donate toys because it just goes with the spirit of giving. It goes with helping out people who are in the unfortunate situation at that time. We never know the position we might find ourselves in, so when we are able to give, we should give because if we were ever put into that situation . . . It’s not the children who put themselves in certain situations, they are just caught up in the environment and situation they are in. No child should have to experience waking up on Christmas morning with nothing to open or unwrap,” Shuler said.

The donations and time given to organizations such as Toys for Tots or The Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank provide memories and a helpful hand to not only underprivileged families. but these selfless acts have the power to change the individual giving up his or her time or money to help others. Toys for Tots runs through Revere High School ending on December 19th, but people can still donate through the organization at sites such as Toys ‘R’ Us. One can visit akroncantonfoodbank.org and click on “Get Involved” to volunteer with the Food Bank.