TOY COLLECTION for Edwards AFB families
LANCASTER – The season of generous non-profit groups setting up toy collection boxes is under the mistletoe across the Antelope Valley, but the Coffee4Vets veteran service group is hoping gift givers will be extra generous with toys for children of active service troops at Edwards Air Force Base.
With more than a month of government shutdown in play, many families are feeling the pinch, and in this case Edwards families are trying to make the last paycheck go further, to that end, an Antelope Valley wide toy donation drive is in motion for Air Force families at the nation’s premier flight test facility, said Atherine Blanco, a Coffee4Vets director who has served as Honorary Base Commander for Public Affairs at Edwards.
“We are hosting a toy drive that will benefit the kids at Edwards from now through December 11,” Blanco said. “There will be toy collection boxes at several locations where you can drop off an unwrapped toy.”
Toys should be unwrapped, and any stuffed animals must be new and bagged in plastic, Blanco said.
“We want to give the kids out on base a Christmas to remember,” said Coffee4Vets President Juan Blanco, an Army paratrooper from the Vietnam and Cold War eras. “It is not widely understood, but enlisted personnel do not get paid a lot even in normal times.”
Collection boxes will be set up at locations including Coffee4Vets, 1228 Ave. I, Lancaster; Bravery Brewing, 42705 8th Street West, Lancaster; Ventura Graphix, 918 E. Palmdale Blvd; AV Eye Care, 42543 8th Street West, No. 101, Lancaster; Envision Surgery Center, 42442 10th Street West, Lancaster. Knights of Columbus also sponsored.
“Coffee4Vets would like to thank sponsors in this generous drive,” Juan Blanco said. Businesses interested in sponsoring a box can contact Atherine Blanco.
How to Get Involved: Donate Toys: Find the nearest toy drop-off location by visiting FB page Coffee4VETS. Donate Financially: Make donations via Zelle 661-993-9275 Atherine Blanco and NOTE the funds are for ToyMake check payable to Coffee4VETS, Inc. Note: Toys for Edwards. P.O. Box 2093 Lancaster, CA 93539-2093 Host a Toy Box: Connect with Atherine Blanco to learn about opportunities. 661-993-9275.