Old Station Brewing Co. steps in with Toys for Tots

The Toys for Tots campaign has set up another drop-off location in Havre with Old Station Brewing Co. stepping in accepting donations.

Old Station Brewing Co. owner Steve Neiffer said that after reading about Edward Jones Financial Adviser Jennifer Tilleman organizing Toys for Tots in Havre, he thought that she could use another place for people to drop off toys.

Edward Jones closes earlier in the day, he said.

“We’re open later, so just to give people more time after work to drop toys off,” he said.

Wednesday is trivia night at Old Station, Neiffer said, and he encourages people to bring toys for Toys for Tots.

Thursday is the last day to drop off toys at either location.

The toy box has been at Old Station for about a week, and a few people have come in to drop off toys, Neiffer said.

Tilleman said Edward Jones has a longstanding relationship with Toys for Tots, founded by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1947. When she heard that Havre Jaycees was not going to run its Community Toy Chest, which distributed donated toys to needy children in the area, she decided to get Toys for Tots running.

Neiffer said he contacted Tilleman about a week ago and told her he was interested in getting involved.

“I thought, ‘You know what, we could be a drop off point for toys,’” Neiffer said. “It’s the least we could do … at least to help her.”

Tilleman said that Old Station is the only other collection spot in the area and she is very grateful for the help.

She added that after the toys are taken to Great Falls Friday, they will be sorted and brought Monday to the families that have signed up.

She said many families have signed up, and people can still sign up.

To sign up for Toys for Tots contact Marylou Brewster at [email protected] or call 406-452-8550.

Tilleman said despite it being the program’s first year, and last-minute, a lot of things worked out and she is excited to see the program grow in the future.

She said Toys for Tots needs new toys that are unwrapped.

“It’s great that people contribute even used toys,” Tilleman said, “and I know that their hearts are in the right place, however, it is something that we have to consider when we are finding families for these toys.”

Used toys raise concerns for children who may have allergies or other health concerns, she added. That is why the Toys for Tots organizers ask people to donate new, unwrapped toys, she said.

Tilleman said the program has a good number of toys for children 2 to 8 years old.

The program needs more toys for ages 9 to 18, she said, as well as toys for babies younger than 2.

“All donations are appreciated,” Tilleman said.

Neiffer said after hearing that the Jaycees would not be doing its annual Community Toy Chest he was glad that somebody was doing something.

“Let’s give them a hand,” he said. “Just to help somebody that’s trying to do some good for the community.”

He said community projects, like Toys for Tots, are bigger than any one person and as a community people need to do more.

“Everybody needs to work together to make Havre a better place for everybody,” Neiffer said.