Posted on: Sunday, December 19, 2004

North Shore group needs toys

Advertiser Staff

Operation: Toybox — a program that began 14 years ago to put gifts in the hands of North Shore homeless children on Christmas morning — is facing empty stockings this year.

"Usually, by this time the toys are streaming in," said Ron Valenciana, Operation: Toybox coordinator.

Valenciana said what's missing this season is the customary generous contributions from area soldiers, many of whom have been deployed to the Middle East. Many of their families have moved to the Mainland.

Folks who want to help out may bring one or more new toys and teen gifts to the office of the North Shore News in Hale'iwa, or mail cash donations to the North Shore News, P.O. Box 1117, Hale'iwa, HI 96712 — and Valenciana's own bunch of Santa's helpers will do the gift shopping.