Local Toys for Tots coordinator, Myrtle Kellar (left) and American Legion Commander Dennis Vance show off a remote control kiddie car that will be raffled off this year to benefit the local Toys for Tots effort this holiday season. Tickets can be purchased at the Toys for Tots headquarters in downtown Overton.

The 2011 Toys for Tots East Clark County headquarters opened recently in Overton, located at 289 S. Moapa Valley Boulevard #5 in the same building as the offices of Mike Qualheim Insurance agency and Sage Plumbing.

The office is open now through December 2 and operating hours are Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon and Thursdays, 1-4 p.m., closed on Thanksgiving.

Applications are available for families needing assistance in providing Christmas for their children up to 16 years of age. Applications will be accepted through December 1 and can be filled out at the office, the Cappalappa Family Resource Center in Overton, the Moapa Indian Reservation Family Services, the Mesquite Salvation Army and Virgin Valley Family Services. Moapa resident and Toys for Tots coordinator Myrtle Kellar encourages all families needing help to apply.

Kellar, who has been involved with Toys for Tots for 53 years now said that, with the difficult economic conditions continuing, she expects it to be another busy year for the program.

“We helped 985 children last year in the two valleys and we expect the numbers to be high again this year,” Kellar said.

Kellar is committed to the mission that no child in the community go through Christmas without a present.

“With times being what they are, we have seen some families need help that haven’t traditionally asked for help,” Kellar said. “Some are a little hesitant to ask for help. So we are getting the word out to churches to let them know that church leaders and clergy can apply on behalf of their families in need to help the process along.”

Toy donations are, of course, welcome. Toy drop-off boxes are located at Lin’s Marketplace, Red Rooster, Muddy River Bar and Grill, Cappalappa Family Resource center and Qualheim Insurance. In Mesquite donations can be made at Mountain America Credit Union, Del Webb Sun City, Walmart, Smiths and Walgreens. Toys donated should be new and unwrapped to ensure they are appropriate for age and gender.

“We appreciate the generosity of the Moapa and Virgin Valley residents,” says Kellar.

This year the local Toys for Tots organization will be holding a raffle. All raffle tickets will be entered into a drawing to win an electric ride-on kiddie car with a remote control. Tickets can be purchased at the Toys for Tots Overton headquarters for $5 per ticket or 6 tickets for $20. The drawing will be held on December 15.

Gan Vance, American Legion Auxiliary official said members of the Auxiliary are already involved in providing manpower to sort and inventory the donations. This is the third year the American Legion Auxiliary Diamond Jubilee Unit 75 has been the official community organization.