It's that time of year again. When we, as a group, pull together and collect toys for kids for the holidays. PRE MEETUP LOCATION AND TIME: When: December 18th, Saturday 6:45AM CST Where: Menards on University AVE http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Menards+near+University+Avenue+West,+Saint+Paul,+MN&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.005754,119.794922&ie=UTF8&hq=Menards&hnear=University+Ave+W,+St+Paul,+Minnesota&t=h&z=14 We will leave this lot PROMPTLY at 7:15AM and caravan to Kare11. They want us AT the location by 7:45AM. DO NOT BE LATE. I know it is early, but it's just one day of the week and it's for a good cause. Kare11 Toys for Tots Location and Time: When: December 18th, Saturday 7:45AM CST Where: Kare11, (8811 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley) What to bring: Toys. A metric asston of toys. And your Subaru. This year we have some new stuff planned. The previous couple years have gone great, with great turnout and great mounds of toys to deliver. This year we're going to add some new dynamics. We will be contacting local Subaru dealerships and 'sponsoring' them with a large donation box. The box will be decorated and have the dealership's name and MNSubaru and Toys for Tots adorning the outside. As with other years past, we will also be doing our own personal stash of toys that each individual brings to the event. We also plan on making a large MNSubaru banner to hold up during the broadcast. Yes, you will be on TV. So be prepared for that.
This is such an awesome thing. Thank you again, Jason, for starting and keeping up on this event every year. Thank you.
It's my favorite event. Because I get to play Santa. And I can buy toys for kids that aren't mine. Because I don't want them. But I care about them none the less.
Confirmation came from Kare-11 today. We're go for the 18th of December. Saturday, AM timeslot. They will give us the exact timeslot information as the date draws closer, but it shouldn't change the plans much.
I forgot to ask. Is there going to be a poster or anything? I would like to hang one up in my cube at work.
you can go to the toys for tots website media section and use media from them, i think we have to get joint media approved or something though
Yep, holiday season is fast approaching! Thanksgiving this week, and then the start of all the holiday madness. If you're out shopping this Black Friday, don't forget to pick up some toys for the Toys for Tots drive!
Walgreens and wal-mart often have toys on clearance so be sure to poke around a bit. Also think teen stuff too(often overlooked).
I wont be able to make this year as I will be at the in-laws for Christmas with them. I will make sure to get a few toys to someone to bring.
This is really a wonderful thing you have put together. I'm new to this forum, and I will plan to attend. This is really cool.
Any idea on what time we are doing this? I was able to get the day off for something else, so it's almost for sure I'm in.
Nope, no updates on the time. They usually email me. But I am going to email them first. Hopefully we get a fast response.
I have made calls and emails to the community relations coordinator at Kare11 and still no response for a time on Saturday. If we don't have an answer by close of business on Monday, we will plan on being at Kare11 by 9am sharp. We will plan to start meeting up at around 8am at the preliminary meeting spot. Details are coming. Also, if you haven't done so yet, you might want to get out there and get some more toys
I sent an email to the woman at work who organizes for our company-no response yet. Last year we met there(couple miles from that menards) and added neary 250 toys from my workplace. "If" I hear from her it's ok we could meet there again or if a few wagons can meet with me we could gather the toys then head to Menards.
The only problem with that place last year is that there wasn't enough parking in front of the building for everyone. I do like your idea of a few wagons picking up the toys there and meeting at Menards after.
I'll likely make a big announcement on Monday night after that lady from Kare11 fails to contact me again. I left her a voicemail on Friday, but no response so far.
I have sent one more email to a different Kare11 address. If tomorrow arrives with still no response what so ever from them, we will simply show up and drop the toys off silently and leave. And this will be the last year we are represented at Kare-11. I love Toys for Tots and what it does, but if Kare-11 and Mandy the incompetant can't get their **** in gear, I may have to figure something else out. This is absolutely ridiculous being the week of and no response at all as to when to show up.
BuMp! I bought a "metric asston" of toys this afternoon and am feeling the spirit enough that I think I'll go out to do some more shopping. If anyone from the northside (I'm in Blaine) won't make the actual drop off and wants to donate I'm willing to do pick ups (within reason) or if you wanna meet or drop off toys with me that'll work too.
Well, here we are, Tuesday evening at 5pm (close of business) and I still have no clue what time to be at Kare11. So, we're gonna go for it. I really don't even care if we end up on TV or not. We will plan for a 9am arrival at the Kare11 tent. Meet in the Menards parking starting at 7:45am on Saturday morning. We will leave from Menards PROMPTLY at 8:30am. If you aren't at the Menards by 8:30am, you may as well just head straight to the Kare11 studio. I will post directions on the first post.
I bought a T 4 T gift, so I plan to go. badbennyb - want to meet up at Holiday on 99th and roll down there?
^^^^^Just wanted to get this info out again. Assuming we leave from home(I'm sure we will) that works for me. We'll Probably head over there 7:15-25ish but can confirm this later.
I'm in for this, however I may meet you guys at the station since it's a 2 minute drive for me to get over to Kare 11. Karen and I are going toy shopping tomorrow night. If we're up for breakfast after this, I know the perfect place and it's 5 minutes from Kare 11. If you're familiar with Fat Nat's, you know how good it is. If you haven't been to Fat Nat's eggs, you're in for a very special treat. Otherwise, there are a few other places we can hit as well if people are up for it. Jason, thanks again for putting this together each year. This is one charity I can truly get behind and support.
A heads up for the caravaners. The best route to take coming off of 394 is to get on Highway 169 North and then to Highway 55 East. That will let you make a right hand turn onto Boone Ave and get directly into the station lot. Otherwise, if you take Betty Crocker Drive you have to make a U-turn at 55 and Boone to get into the lot. I'll plan on getting there by 7:30 or so and make sure we've got enough space to fit everyone. Jason, can you shoot me a text with a heads up on how many are in the caravan and I'll do what I can to make sure we've got the parking.
Oh Boy. So they got back to you eh? I'll have to take a power nap then instead of sleeping I'll do my darndest to make it that early. At least it's for a good cause.
I had family plans come up, so I will not be able to make it. I will have to drop some off another day.
To anyone coming from the north, If anyone wants to meet at Holiday gas station on 99th ave and Hwy 65 by 6:15 am, we can make our way to Menards on Uni. Otherwise I'll see y'all at the Menards lot.
