(Watsonville Public Library)
WATSONVILLE — There’s no denying that toys are a sign of childhood. They provide vehicles for children’s imaginations, inspire storytelling and creativity and even play important roles in developing motor skills. Be it action figures or dolls or wooden blocks or stuffed animals, almost everyone has fond memories of playing with toys.
However, there comes a time in every child’s life when they start to outgrow their toys and they end up spending forever on boxes until it’s time to give them away. Some get passed down to younger siblings, others find new homes through Goodwill or other thrift stores and some end up in landfills, even in perfect condition.
The Watsonville Public Library wants to make sure toys find new homes, so it’s currently accepting donations of gently used toys for its first Toy Swap on Feb.
Through Jan. 31, families can bring any underused toys to the kids’ table in exchange for one voucher per item available at Toy Swap. Items that will not be accepted include clothing, books, pet supplies and broken toys. Call the library at 768-3400 for questions about which items can and cannot be donated.
At Toy Swap, patrons can use these vouchers to receive a toy. Those who receive vouchers after donating toys can give them to others. Any toys not donated during the Toy Swap will be donated to local nonprofits, according to the library.
Toy Swap is 4 to 6 pm Feb. 2 at the Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St., Suite 100. The library is open 10 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday and 10 am to 6 pm Friday. The library is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call the library at 831-768-3400.
