TAZEWELL, Va. (WVVA) – The Tri-Angle Sportsman’s Club hosts matches from time to time to give local gun enthusiasts the opportunity to compete together. However, their game on Saturday had another purpose, collecting toys and funds for the local Toys for Tots group.

“When you embark on an initiative like Toys for Tots, you never know what you’ll learn about your region. You know, I’m a new coordinator this year, so coming into this year, I never would have dreamed that the Tri-Angle Sportsmen’s Club and Tony Graham would reach out to let me know, ‘hey, we’re hosting an event. for you…’ so, you know, it’s great…it’s humbling and we’re very grateful,” says Charlie Smith, local community organization coordinator for Toys For Tots.

The club first started this fundraiser last year and after its success, made it an annual event. They say they wanted to use their talents and resources to help the community and found Toys for Tots a great way to do that.

“Well, some of them wouldn’t have a present under the tree if it wasn’t for Toys for Tots, so they’re a great organization, they try to take care of as many kids as they can serve and they do. an outstanding job,” says Tony Graham, president of the Tri-Angle Sportsmen’s Club.

While these may seem like just toys, Smith says, to the children who receive them, they can mean much more.

“…There are a lot of different influences on kids, and not having that Christmas reinforcement maybe, you hear a lot of horror stories with kids dealing with depression and anxiety and that could be a contributing factor to things like that nature. You know, not to mention it’s just, you know, really sad to think about the kids who wake up on Christmas morning and have nothing to open under the tree…” says Smith.

Smith says the need for toys in this area is huge every year, but this year may bring an increased need, and with many still recovering from the storm, donations are still slow. However, he intends for the community to step up to make sure no child goes without a toy this Christmas.

Graham says he plans to continue helping Toys for Tots through these matches for years to come. You can go to the Triangle Sportsmen’s Club website for more information about the range.

However, you won’t have to wait until next year to donate to meet the toy need in the area. Just look for the Toys for Tots boxes set up in the area or go to Princeton Toys for Tots website to learn more about how to donate.

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