The 2016 Putnam Community Action Partnership Annual Toy Drive is now under way.  Teenagers in the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Cadet Program are helping to gather donated toys and other gifts for needy children in Putnam County.  The Cadets help sort donated items for delivery to underprivileged youths during the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays. 

Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith says the program is seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys or gifts for children ranging from newborns to teens in high school.  Donors can drop off items at the Sheriff’s Office on Fair Street in Carmel, at the Community Action Partnership Headquarters located at 121 Main Street in Brewster, the Mahopac Chamber Of Commerce, or at any of the number of banks and businesses participating in the Toys-for-Tots Program sponsored by the Marine Corps League. 

Donations should be dropped off before December 16th to insure delivery in time for the holidays. Distribution of gifts to the youth will start on December 20th at the Putnam CAP office.

Last year, CAP was able to provide toys and gifts to 556 children, with each receiving three presents and two stocking-stuffer items each. “Last year’s gift-giving amounted to 1,668 presents and 1,112 stocking-stuffers being distributed.