Faces, Places & Voices Of PVREA: Cynthia Kintzley, Toys for Tots

When we think of Christmas, we envision elaborate decorations, bows and tinsel, days with friends and family, delicious meals, and gift-wrapped presents.

But for many, this time of year is marked by added stress — the thought of being unable to take time away from work or afford presents to place under the tree. The most impacted by this financial strain are often the children wishing for a magical moment on Christmas morning.

Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program

Cynthia Kintzley, District Coordinator for the Weld County Chapter of Toys for Tots, told us about herself and how she became so involved with this non-profit. She also explained how Toys for Tots was created at the behest of the US Marine Corps to help put the hope back in Christmas.

In 1991, Toys for Tots was created to help economically disadvantaged children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas. They also exist to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign.

“It’s not about giving them a handout, it’s giving them a hand-up,” Cynthia said. “It’s putting the hope back into Christmas that maybe even some of the parents have lost.”

Cynthia, a Marine Corps veteran, was first introduced to Toys for Tots in 2001 while service at 29 Palms, California. After moving to Greeley in 2013, she soon brought her whole family to volunteer in toy drives.

She became the Toys for Tots Weld County Chapter district coordinator in 2023 after almost a decade of volunteering. “We helped over 4,000 kids with 14,000 toys last year,” Cynthia said. “We couldn’t have given out over 14,000 toys without the generous support of our community.”

Every toy or dollar donated stays local. “If you’re putting a toy in the box,” Cynthia said, “that is going to a kid who lives here in Weld County that needs help.”

What & How to Donate

Cynthia said her two biggest needs are for often-overlooked age groups — 0 to 18 months and 13- to 18-year-olds.

Donations for babies can include blankets and layettes, and developmental toys such as building blocks and stacking rings. Donations for teen girls could be makeup kits, hair dryers, or curling irons, and for teen boys it’s hygiene kits, shave kits, body wash, cologne, or hair gel. Sports equipment or craft kits make excellent donations as well.

Donation drop boxes are located throughout Weld County. A list of locations is available at the local chapter’s website by clicking this link or look for the big white boxes with the red train logo.

Toys for Tots also operates in Larimer and Boulder counties, so members throughout Poudre Valley REA service territory can make donations.