Community
FISH toy drive finds a home
Thanks to a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, the Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank Holiday Toy Drive has a temporary space large enough for this year’s distribution event.
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“I would love to shout out this donor, and he’s been so good to us in the past, but he wishes to remain anonymous,” said Betsy Cheney, toy drive outreach chair for FISH. “I thank Lisa Tallman as well, with First Western Properties for her help in getting this place for us. It’s so nerve-wracking every year trying to find a place, but I understand that people who have large warehouses are hoping to rent them out long-term.”
It was especially nerve-wracking this year. FISH found itself without a home for its toy drive in September, and asked the community for donated warehouse space.
They ended up with a nearly 5,000-square-foot space between Wollochet Drive and Hunt Street. It is heated and has a basement that will house donated bicycles, Cheney, said.
The toy team is made up of Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank volunteers who set up the tables and shelves for the shopping experience. From left, Richel Falk, Amy Garlan, Cindy Bohorfoush, Lisa Schwab, Karen Miller and Betsy Cheney. Photo courtesy of Bruce Cheney
Donation bins coming next week
About 50 FISH volunteers will begin to transform the space into a fun, holiday-themed store for shoppers who need support this season. They will sort toys by age groups, and families will have the opportunity to shop for items just as they would in a store.
“We started registering clients last week,” Cheney said. “Once we get the FISH clients registered, it goes out to the public for applications. There is a lot of need this year. We get so many applications every day, and because of that, this year we are increasing the number of applicants to 1,000.”
Applicants must live within the 11 zip codes that FISH serves — Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula and part of South Kitsap — and qualify based on monthly income and the number of household residents.
FISH will place donation bins in the community starting Monday, Nov. 17. The toy drive accepts items and monetary donations for children ages 18 and younger.
Most years, FISH finds the most need for the children in the 9 through 12 and 13 through 18 age groups, Cheney said.
Shopping days are scheduled for Dec. 16 and 17. FISH also accepts wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, and tape, which are given to shoppers on the distribution dates.
Click here for more information, ways to donate, and a list of suggested items.
Where to donate
FISH Toy Drive donation bins will be at these locations:
- AGA NW Gym, 9672 Bujacich Road, Gig Harbor
- Arletta Store, 3520 Ray Nash Drive N.W. No. 5837, Gig Harbor
- Avanti Salon, 5358 33rd Ave., Gig Harbor
- Big Nate’s Trading Cards, 3006 Judson Street, Unit 102
- Conestoga Wealth Partners, 3226 Rosedale Street N.W. No. 200
- Edward Jones, 3312 Rosedale Street N.W., Suite 202
- Fox Island Museum (1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays), 1017 Ninth Ave. Court Fi, Fox Island
- Fox Island Post Office, 560 Fox Drive, Fox Island
- Gig Harbor Chiropractic and Massage, 11430 51st Ave. N.W.
- Gig Harbor Post Office, 3118 Judson St.
- Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive
- Harbor Animal Hospital, 4225 Burnham Drive
- Hops n Drops, 5414 Point Fosdick Drive
- Invitation Bookshop, 3119 Judson Street, Unit A
- Multicare Women’s Health and Wellness Center, 4545 Point Fosdick Drive No. 130
- Paper Luxe, 4701 Point Fosdick Drive, No. 300
- PenMet Parks, 2416 14th Ave. N.W., Gig Harbor
- Zog’s Beer Garden, 585 Sixth Ave Fi., Fox Island
