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Big Island Press Club has donated $1,000 for the purchase of children's books to be delivered for Christmas by Toys for Tots. Press Club vice-president for 2010, Tiffany Edwards Hunt, checked out the books with her daughter Coco. With them are current Press Club president Peter Serafin (in hat) and Ellsworth Fontes, president of Toys for Tots.

Focusing on children 8 to 12 years old, the Big Island Press Club has donated books valued at over $1,000 to Toys for Tots for delivery as Christmas presents.

The purchase of the books at Borders was inspired by the book store’s program which allows individuals to buy books for Toys for Tots, said Press Club president Peter Serafin.

“One of our members, who asked to remain anonymous, noticed the Borders book donation program and realized that a donation would be appropriate from our club,” Serafin said. The donor then made the $1,000 contribution.

“Clearly, journalism is based on literacy,” Serafin said.

“More specifically, the donor feels that having children grow up with paper reading material in their hands will contribute to them wanting to hold real newspapers in their hands when they grow up. This is the Press Club’s small effort to help preserve newspapers in the face of growing competition from Internet news sources,” Serafin said.

Toys for Tots Hilo president Ellsworth Fontes urged the focus on ages 8 to 12. People are very willing to donate stuffed animal toys for very young children, but gifts appropriate for slightly older children are never enough to meet the need, Fontes said.

Toys for Tots serves some 3,000 needy children, he said. The organization was assisted in selecting books by representatives from the state Department of Human Services and the private Child and Family Services.

Founded in 1967, the Press Club has been giving journalism scholarships to college students since it was formed. Anyone wishing to support the ongoing scholarship effort or the new children’s books effort may make tax-deductible donations to the club’s sister organization, BIPC Scholarship Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 1920, Hilo, HI 96721.

RSVP by Nov. 25

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Performances by Elvis impersonator Dan Nix and comedienne Kathy Emory, a silent auction featuring works of art, gifts certificates and more, and an open buffet and bar are features of the USMCR Toys for Tots Benefit Christmas Party planned for the evening of Saturday, Nov. 28 at an oceanfront home in Hawaiian Beaches.

The public is invited to the adults-only event (due to the open bar), which is being hosted by MJ Svoboda and Ellsworth Fontes.

The oceanfront Avery/Svoboda residence at 15-2694 Welea St. in Hawaiian Beaches is the setting for the party, which begins at 5:30 p.m. with a poolside buffet dinner. The open bar will begin at 7 p.m. on the deck where “Elvis” will perform.

Linda and Ray Molina will emcee the evening’s entertainment, including live Hawaiian music during the buffet.

Admission is a new, unwrapped toy or check donation for Toys for Tots. Those so inclined are also invited to bring a pupu or favorite dish. RSVP at 965-0234 by Nov. 25 if you plan to attend.

Artworks by Ken Charon, Charles Christian Hansen, Tomas Belsky, Rebecca Charon, panoramic and other photography by Dorian Weisel, beachwear from Jeff Hunt Surfboards, massage by Kilikina, a Waipio Rim B&B gift certificate, an autographed 1st edition of In A Sea of Dreams by Christopher Newbert and Birgette Wilms, San Francisco 49ers memorabilia and more are among the items partygoers will be bidding on in the silent auction.

“This is a great opportunity to relax and help out your community after the stress of making Thanksgiving dinner,” Svoboda said. “And you still have Sunday to recover.”

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Elsworth Fontes of the Rock & Roll Motorcycle Club, left, poses with Sergeant Regino Saludares and Officer John Stewart (holding bike) at the South Hilo police station, one of eight Police Department donation points for Toys for Tots. (Photo courtesy of the Police Department)

Big Island police stations will double as drop-off points for Toys for Tots this holiday season.

As part of the toy drive, members of the the county Police Department and the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO) will contribute funds for the purchase of bicycles for Toys for Tots. The goal is to provide a bicycle to one child from each police district.

Toys for Tots was started in 1947 by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. On the Big Island, it is sponsored by the Rock & Roll Motorcycle Club, which is holding its 14th Annual Toys for Tots Motorcade on Dec. 13 in Hilo.

Members of the public may drop off unwrapped toys for children ages 12 and under at any police station from Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Dec. 11.

After the Toys for Tots Motorcade, social service agencies will distribute the toys to children in need.