Toasty Toddler program opens registration, receiving donations

Family Resource Center provides clothing for children during winter

With winter fast approaching, parents may be worried that their little ones will be cold, but with Toasty Toddler, they can grab free winter wear for children ages newborn to 5 years old.

Registration and donations for Toasty Toddler, a program that collects and distributes winter coats, hats and gloves to youngsters in Blair County, are being accepted through Nov. 9, said Family Resource Center Director Denise Adams.

Established by the Blair County Department of Social Services in the early 2000s, the program aims to help children keep warm in the winter. The Family Resource Center started facilitating the program in 2009, Adams said.

"We're filling the gap for those littler kids that the programs weren't available for in the past," Adams said.

Anyone can donate coats, hats and gloves to the program, Adams said.

Over 22 entities collected and donated items and funds, helping about 600 children last year, Adams said. All children received a new coat, gloves or mittens, and all funds were used for purchasing items.

Adams said that donation numbers were down during the pandemic, but that the program has helped more than 400 children each year and 8,000 children total.

"The community is very generous," Adams said. "We've always been able to meet the need."

The program accepts new hats, scarves, gloves, coats and snowsuits for children size 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months as well as 2T-5T, 5, 6, 7, 8 and small, Adams wrote in a press release.

Adams said the need depends on how many children of one size need new winter clothing and that, right now, they have enough girls' 4 and 4T.

The Family Resource Center plans to start distributing items on Nov. 16 and will run as long as supplies last.

Donations of items and/or money can be made at the Family Resource Center and United Way of the Southern Alleghenies, Altoona Area Public Library, Ashley HomeStore, Bellwood-Antis Public Library, CONTACT Altoona, Hollidaysburg Area Public Library and UPMC Altoona, according to Adams.

Toasty Toddler is also receiving donations from organizations like the Altoona Sunrise Rotary, Blair County Department of Social Services, Faith Fellowship/Faith United Church of Christ, FedEx Ground, PennDOT Hollidaysburg, St. John's Women's Group, Veeder Root and Vitro Automotive Glass, Adams said.

To sign up for items, parents should provide their children's ages, gender and which item sizes they want by contacting the Family Resource Center at 814-317-5108, ext. 301. Deadline is Nov. 9.

"I would say to call in at that number if you need the help," Adams said. "If you're working, you know, if your child's in preschool or child care or they work with someone, a specialist, then those people can also refer them."