When retiree Angela Thomas spotted the Sedona Toys for Tots collection box at Clark’s in the Village of Oak Creek, she had no idea her life was about to change. The box included a phone number people could call if they were interested in volunteering. Angela called, started volunteering with the group and then became the Toys for Tots Sedona coordinator two years ago. She shadowed Leonard and Karen Barrow, the couple that had been running the chapter for over a decade, for one year before she took over. She has a personal tie to the organization. Her son was in the Marine Corps, which is behind the nonprofit Toys for Tots.
“I was a single mom at one time, but luckily, I’ve always had the funds to provide Christmas to my son. But I can imagine what it’s like to be a struggling mom not being able to provide a basic little toy for Christmas,” she says. “It really pulls at my heartstrings.” To help this local chapter of an organization that distributes toys to children all over the country, people can donate money, give new and unwrapped toys and volunteer. A total of 67 toy collection boxes will be located throughout Sedona. Toy donations will be accepted until Dec. 12. After this date, donors can contact Angela directly to arrange a pickup. Visit sedona-az.toysfortots.org to see a list of toys the group needs. Toys for Tots Sedona also hosts a few events in December. The group hosts 2025 Bikes for Tykes Day on Dec. 13 at West Sedona Elementary School. During this event, kids are fitted for helmets and bikes and given free bikes. On Dec. 8, a shuttle bus will be parked by Posse Grounds Park from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., when people can drop off new toys. The organization typically needs more toys for older children ages nine to 14. Last year, a total of 4,028 toys were distributed to 1,384 children. When she first took over, she was surprised by how much community support she received.
“I know I’m the coordinator, but the Toys for Tots season here in Sedona is really Sedona’s event,” she says. “It’s really just a collection of citizens from Sedona that put this on and specifically the volunteers from SAVCO (the Sedona Area Veteran & Community Outreach).” Angela says imagining children opening their gifts on Christmas morning is such a rewarding experience. “You’re picking stocking stuffers and toys and things, and I just get a real kick out of it. I think about how excited they’re going to be on Christmas morning,” says Angela. “It gives me a lot of joy.”
