GALT, CA (MPG) - First responders are accepting applications from families for the annual Galt Toy Drive. The drive provides holiday gifts for Galt families in need and the deadline to apply is Dec. 5. Toy donations are also open.

Galt Police Department and Cosumnes Fire Department partner each year on the giveaway, which helps hundreds of local families make the season bright for their children. For example, the 2023 drive benefited 625 kids from more than 300 families in Galt. 

Galt Community Service Officer Colby Cuthbertson said this year’s drive is on track for a similar number of recipients.

On distribution day, a large room is filled to bursting with paper bags, each loaded with toys handpicked by volunteers, who work to get each set of gifts to its recipient. Children can visit with Santa Claus as they collect their presents. Wrapping paper and other supplies are on hand so families can wrap the gifts for the big day.

“One of the big things we get from these families is relief,” said Cuthbertson, who organizes the drive. “This program is the only opportunity they have for a holiday season.”

Cuthbertson said the drive’s goal is to give recipients “one less thing to stress about for the holiday season and really try to bring those toys and that holiday cheer to everyone in that household.”

Families can apply in person at the Galt Police Department Community Room (455 Industrial Drive) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 30. Registration is also available by appointment; to schedule a appointment, call 209-366-7007 or email [email protected]. Assistance is offered in English and Spanish.

To qualify, families must live within Galt city limits, and eligibility is based on household income and the number of people in a household. Applicants need to come to their appointment with proof of ID, proof of residence, proof of income and proof of each child. Toys are provided for children up to 10 years old.

Toy Donations Accepted

Donations to the toy drive are now underway. Anyone wishing to donate can drop off a new, unwrapped toy at any of the following locations:

Galt Police Department, 455 Industrial Drive: open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Galt Food Center, 814 A St.: daily, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Galt Smog, 515 N. Lincoln Way: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Galt Parks and Recreation, 610 Chabolla Ave.: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Any Galt fire station.

Toys should be for children between the ages of 1 and 10 years old. Cuthbertson noted that toys for the younger and older ends of that range are especially needed, as they are harder to source. Donations should be in their original packaging.

If you or someone you know is interested in hosting a toy drop-off site or a signup event, contact the Galt Police Department as soon as possible.

“I would go out on a limb and say this is my favorite event to do of the year,” Cuthbertson said. “Being able to impact so many of the youth within the city of Galt and our surrounding communities is very much, I think, the embodiment of what the Galt Police Department and the Cosumnes Fire Department is looking to do. We are here in your community every single day, no matter what day, holidays, rain, shine, it doesn’t matter. And I think it is important to have this program to provide an opportunity to families that might otherwise not have the opportunity to have toys this holiday season.”