SPRINGFIELD – Last Friday, Pleasant Hill Elementary School third graders took a field trip to Springfield’s Target to find the perfect toys for other children during a Toys for Tots event.
For about 30 minutes, the otherwise quiet and calm store was bustling with the sound of over 70 excited children picking out special gifts for other kids.
Families of the third graders donated funds, the money was divided up among student groups, and each group of about five kiddos chose $100 worth of toys for Toys for Tots. After that, they headed over to the Armory to drop them off. As part of the trip, they might get to listen to a marine tell about the program and ask questions.
Third-grade teacher Aaron Holladay said $1,800 was raised this year, and any leftover money will be donated as cash to TFT. This was the seventh year Holladay got to celebrate the third-grade tradition.
“We try to encourage them to choose toys for the younger and older kid groups, because they tell us those are the ones that are hardest to get toys for,” Holladay said. “They’re always very thoughtful about what they want to get and thinking about what other kids might enjoy.”
From Bluey toys to Tonka Trucks, the classes handpicked a wide variety of toys. Wide-eyed, antsy kids could be found down all 12 toy aisles.
For Henrik Spence Helgason and Addi Andress, a book and interactive toys were among the options they chose. Puzzles, card games, stuffed animals, monster trucks, and sporting equipment were a regular theme.
“It brings me back to our elementary years,” said Luis Harrell, executive team lead. “I also like supporting the community. Sure, it’s nice to clean out our toys as we’re getting Christmas toys in, but I just like that I see the kids are happy, and sometimes when we’re caught up in retail life, it reminds me of the important things,” he said.
Once the kiddos were all wrapped up at the store, it was off to the Armory to donate the gifts.
Local impact numbers show that, in 2024, in the Eugene-Springfield area, 18,097 toys were distributed, and 13,512 children were supported.
The Hope Project will distribute toys on Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hamlin Middle School in Springfield, and the Cottage Grove Lions Club will have their distribution the same day from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cottage Grove Community Center. Both events require registered families with approved control numbers, and no tickets will be distributed.
Additionally, the Creswell School District will hold toy distribution on Dec. 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Creslane Elementary School, also for registered families only.
To request toys, visit eugene-or.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx
