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Toy Recall a Holiday Headache for Charity
Recent toy recalls have forced some parents to dig through boxes to make sure their kids' toys are safe. But just imagine checking several truckloads. That's the overwhelming task facing one local charity.
Posted — UpdatedRALEIGH, N.C. — Recent toy recalls have forced some parents to dig through boxes to make sure their kids' toys are safe. But just imagine checking several truckloads. That's the overwhelming task facing one local charity.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a long list of recalls on its Web site. The Salvation Army is faced with comparing that list with the estimated 40,000 toys it's expecting to receive in donations.
The charity is asking for help to make sure needy kids stay safe.
“My children would really not have had a Christmas if it wasn’t for the Salvation Army,” said Sarita Faison, a single mom who works two full-time jobs.
Her children – Gregory, 11, and Samar, 4 – are just two of the 3,200 children the charity served last Christmas.
The organization has already collected two truck loads of toys for this Christmas, but there's one problem.
“Part of our concern now [is] are any of these affected by the recall?” said Ashley Delamar with the Salvation Army.
Charity officials have been going box by box, comparing each toy to the ones on the massive recall list.
“The Salvation Army is not only a provider in this case, but [it] has to be a protector as well,” Delamar said.
The organization is looking for volunteers to help check the toys. And just to be safe, parents receiving toys might be asked to sign a waiver.
“I’m going to check anyway, because I am a parent first and I’m just really pleased that my kids will be able to have toys,” Faison said.
The Salvation Army is also asking that toys be delivered unwrapped this year to compare against the huge recall list. While many of the recalled toys have been taken off store shelves, the Salvation Army doesn't want to take any chances, officials said.
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