Strafford News

City of Dover issued the following announcement on December 13.

The 2021 Dover Fire Toy Bank will continue to collect toys through Friday, Dec. 17.

The Dover Fire Toy Bank has been coordinated by current and retired members of the Dover Fire & Rescue for more than 42 years. The Toy Bank started out all those years ago helping a dozen families in the city, it has now grown to helping over 350 families. While Christmas typically conjures up visions of Santa and toys, the Toy Bank also provides educational aids, warm clothing, and boots to many children in Dover.

The Dover community - area businesses, seniors, families, school groups, civic groups and others have been very supportive and generous in the past. Donations of toys, games, clothing, personal hygiene items, gift certificates, and monetary donations have enabled us to help those less fortunate. The Toy Bank would not be successful without continued help from the community.

Here's how to help:

• Collect new toys within your organization for age groups from newborn to 12 years old. If looking for a specific need to fill, the infant and 9-12 age groups are always in need for both boys and girls. If you need a collection box, please call 603-516-TOYS, leave a message and we will get you one for your business.
• Purchase gift cards to area businesses, mall stores, and grocery stores are always appreciated.
• Shop for hats and mittens, gloves and scarves that are needed for the cold winter. These gifts help ensure each child receives these essentials.
• Collecting monetary donations within an organization and shopping for gifts helps greatly. If you don't have time to shop for these items, the Toy Bank will do it for you.

Toy Bank volunteers will pick up donations on site or drop off new, unwrapped items at these locations: Dover Central Fire Station (9-11 Broadway), South End Fire Station (27 Durham Road) or the North End Fire Station (262 Sixth St.) by Friday, Dec. 17. Toy collection boxes are also located at the following locations and local businesses:

• Kennebunk Savings, 701 Central Ave.
• Wentworth Home, 795 Central Ave.
• Herbal Path, 835 Central Ave.
• Hannoush Jewelers, 863 Central Ave.
• Statix Salon & Span, 827 Central Ave.
• Timeless Salon, 1 Webb Place
• Wentworth Health Partners, 10 Members Way, fifth floor
• Watson Fields, 201 Watson Road
• Holy Rosary Credit Union, 490 Central Ave.
• Harvey’s Bakery, 376 Central Ave.
• Brick House, 2 Orchard St.
• City Hall, City Manager’s Office, 288 Central Ave.
• St. Mary Academy, 222 Central Ave.
• TD Bank, 353 Central Ave.
• Noggin Factory, 53 Washington St.
• Dover Ice Arena, 110 Portland Ave.
• Philbrick's Sports, 161 Portland Ave.
• Tasker’s Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave.
• Greater Dover Chamber Of Commerce, 550 Central Ave.
• Peoples United Bank, 537 Central Ave.
• Moose Lodge #443, 45 Chestnut St.
• Dover Public Library, 73 Locust St.
• Everproven Performance Center, 50 Crosby Road
• Dr. Peterson Dentistry, 240 Locust St.
• Sawyer Mills Apartments, 1 Mill St.
• Dover Honda, 1 Dover Point Road
• Patty B’s Restaurant, 34 Dover Point Road
• Bellamy Fields, 150 Garrison Road
• Maple Suites, 30 Holiday Drive

The final collection day for toys at the locations above is Friday, Dec. 17.

Monetary contributions can be picked up on location or mailed to Dover Fire Toy Bank, P.O. Box 1712, Dover, NH 03821-1712. Please make checks payable to The Dover Fire Toy Bank.

For more information, call 603-516-TOYS (8697).

Original source can be found here.