Local Toys for Tots campaign in critical need of volunteers, coordinator looking for successor

Santa Claus may be able to deliver toys to children all over the world in a single night, but he doesn’t do it without a strong team behind him that helps make such a feat possible.

Cathy Sims, coordinator of the South-Central Kentucky Toys for Tots Campaign that services Whitley County and other counties in the area, may not look the typical portrayal of Santa Claus, but she serves that role for many underprivileged children each year. Much like Santa, Sims, too, needs a strong team to help her continue that Christmas magic.

South-Central Kentucky Toys for Tots Campaign provides toys to tens of thousands of children across seven counties, including Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Clay, Leslie and McCreary counties, as well as Campbell County, Tennessee. During last year’s holiday season, the campaign also ended up serving children in Breathitt and Floyd counties, though they are not officially part of the campaign’s coverage area.

Her commitment to children is another way in which Sims denotes Santa.

“If I’ve got a toy, I’m not going to let a kid go without,” said Sims.

Last year alone, the campaign distributed over 26,000 toys to more than 12,200 children, a far cry from the less than 500 children within just the Tri-County who received toys when Sims took over the campaign nearly a decade ago.

According to the Toys for Tots Foundation’s website, the South-Central Kentucky Toys for Tots Campaign is among the largest in the state, distributing more than three times the number of toys to three times as many children as campaigns in larger locales like Lexington and Richmond. In fact, the Sims’ campaign is only dwarfed by a few other campaigns within Kentucky, such as those in Louisville and the Cincinnati, Ohio area

With such a large campaign, donations and volunteers are essential; however, the campaign has been struggling to find both.

The campaign recently received a $10,000 donation from Houchens Food Group, who own and operate many of the IGA and Save-A-Lot stores in the area, which Sims called the largest donation they’ve ever received. Despite that achievement, many of the area businesses that typically provided donations in the past have either scaled back their offering or elected to not give at all. General donations given by the public have also been scant this year.

On both accounts, Sims noted she was aware that times have gotten tough on everyone. With the rising costs of goods and services, she understands that people may not be able to give like they once were.

Even without considering the current economic state, the South-Central Kentucky Toys for Tots Campaign has always come up short of being self-sustained through local donations alone. Luckily, the national Toys for Tots Foundation ensures that none of their local campaigns go without, providing any toys that they may need to accommodate the number of children.

And while the national foundation may help fill in the gaps left from lackluster donations, what they don’t offer is the necessary manpower to unpack, sort and distribute the many toys the campaign gives out.

For the past several years, the campaign has operated with a very small core of primary volunteers, comprised mostly of senior citizens. But age and illness have started to leave an impact on the few people Sims knew she could count on to be at the warehouse the campaign operates out of on a daily basis. For that reason, more outside help is needed.

The national Toys for Tots Foundation is a non-profit organization, as are all local campaigns, so volunteers—including Sims—are not paid for their time. Although no compensation can be provided, Sims said that she can offer verification for anyone looking to get community service hours.

Sims is also in search of more than just seasonal help, though.

After years of bringing Christmas to thousands of children across Southeastern Kentucky, Sims is considering handing over the reins of the campaign to someone else.

Sims’ husband, Greg, who acted as the campaign’s co-coordinator alongside Sims until last year, is currently dealing with some health issues and Sims has several of her own. But she’s not ready to walk away until she knows that the campaign can live on.

Finding the person to fill that role could be a tall order. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: A possible successor would certainly have their hands full.

Anyone hoping to act as coordinator for a Toys for Tots campaign is required to file their intent via application and then submit to both a credit and criminal history check. After that, there is a broader background check that is performed, followed by several mandatory training courses that are required to be done in-person in Leesburg, Virginia. Once all the necessary hoops are navigated, it’s time to start the yearly campaign.

Campaigns usually ramp up each year on October first, but Sims said that it typically takes work throughout the entirety of the year to make sure the campaign is successful.

“This isn’t just a three-month thing,” said Sims. “They have to work a little bit extra and they would have to really care that the kids are taken care of.”

If Sims is able to find someone to take over the campaign, she said she is willing to stay on board as long as possible in whatever role she could be of most help.

For more information about becoming a Toys for Tots coordinator, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Additionally, the South-Central Kentucky Toys for Tots Campaign can use any donations received by December 15 toward this year’s campaign. Any toys or money received after that date will be put toward next year’s effort.

To donate quickly and easily, you can scan the QR code that accompanies this story, which will take you directly to the online donation form. You can also go to the campaign’s website at www.southcentral-ky.toysfortots.org and select “Ways To Donate” at the top of the page. There is also a list of drop sites where boxes have been placed for toy donations on their website. Only new toys are accepted.

Additionally, anyone who wishes to volunteer can do so at the campaign’s website by hovering over “Get Involved/Volunteer” at the top of their page and selecting “Sign Up to Volunteer” from the drop-down box.

A list of the campaign’s local and corporate sponsors can also be found on their website.