Emporia school’s Toy Shoppe is open for business
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Toy Shoppe, which has moved to a new location, is ready for another year of collecting and repairing used toys and bicycles.
In the spring, the Toy Shoppe was moved to the first floor of the Kansas Avenue Center, 315 S. Market St. It is open from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on days that school is in session.
“We have lots of toys and bicycles ready to go out and we also need more for the students to work on,” said Mike McDougald, program coordinator.
Collection barrels have been placed at the downtown fire station, Country Mart North, Country Mart South, Wal-Mart and Price Chopper. Large items also will be picked up if prior arrangements are made. All types of toys that can be refurbished are needed. This includes dolls, stuffed animals and small children’s bicycles. The Toy Shoppe does not accept any type of toy weapons.
The Toy Shoppe is a program of the Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative in which students clean and repair toys and bicycles to redistribute to children in the community. Students also collect new toys, which are included in the distribution.
The Toy Shoppe is especially busy during the holiday season when parents come to select items for gifts. However, toys and games can be picked up throughout the year. The program will provide up to two toys per child per month and one bicycle per family each year.
For more information or to arrange to have donated items picked up, call 341-2332.