Although the unemployment rate in Wilton is only 3.7%, signifying a healthy labor market with a rate well below the state and national averages, there are still people who are struggling financially. This is evident by the fact the Wilton Woman’s Club delivered 50 Thanksgiving dinners to homebound residents and Wilton Social Services distributed almost 70 holiday baskets to people in need of a Thanksgiving dinner.
If food is in short supply for some of us, then toys surely are, too. Once again, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is collecting new, unwrapped toys for less fortunate children in Wilton and neighboring towns. And once again, Wilton businesses and organizations have stepped up to act as drop-off locations where people may bring a donation.
Children can’t help but want to find something special under the Christmas tree. And while they may be more in need of shoes, or socks, or pajamas, there is nothing as glorious as waking up on Christmas morning to find a doll, or a toy truck, or a teddy bear to play with. Any parent, teacher or other childhood “expert” knows how playing unleashes a child’s imagination, how colors and textures stimulate brain development, how having something of their own can make children feel special.
Playing enables children to interact with the world. Playing affects their physical, cognitive and emotional development. A toy like a doll or a stuffed animal gives a child something to relate to, to tell secrets to.
Play is so important that the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights recognizes it as a right of every child. And while toys are not necessary for play, they sure make it a lot of fun.
The Toys for Tots drive runs through Dec. 20. Anyone moved to make a donation has more than a dozen drop-off locations to choose from.
They include:
- Bankwell Wilton, 47 Old Ridgefield Road
- Bruce Bennett Nissan, 978 Danbury Road
- Coldwell Banker, 77 Old Ridgefield Road
- College Nannies & Tutors, 396 Danbury Road
- Cubesmart, 111 Danbury Road
- Georgetown Orthodontics, 73 Redding Road
- The Greens at Cannondale, 435 Danbury Road
- Hoffman Landscaping, 647 Danbury Road (Route 7)
- Middlebrook School, 131 School Road
- Pawradise, Cannondale Village
- Ring’s End, 129 Danbury Road
- Signal Administration, 64 Danbury Road
- Starbucks, 21 River Road
- The Toy Chest, 21 River Road
- Tooher Feraris Insurance, 43 Danbury Road
- Toozy Patza Pizza, 991 Danbury Road
- Tracy Locke, 131 Danbury Road
- Westy Self Storage, 65 Danbury Road
- Wilton Auto & Tire, 210 Danbury Road
- Wilton Family Y, 404 Danbury Road
- Wilton Fire Department, 236 Danbury Road and 707 Ridgefield Road
- Wilton Pizza, 202 Town Green
- Zion’s Hill Preschool, 470 Danbury Road