The town of Maplesville has started collecting donations and applications for its 19th annual Toys For Kids program.

Former Maplesville Police Chief George Smith launched Toys For Kids in 1992 to help provide Christmas gifts for children.

Town Clerk Sheila Haigler said the program raised $9,652.64 to provide gifts for 172 children coming from 75 families last year.

“Our purpose and goal is to help as many deserving families as possible,” Haigler said. “We try to do a little bit for all the kids, because I hate to leave anybody out.”

Applications for assistance are available now through November at Maplesville Town Hall, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Completed forms with required documentation will only be accepted at the town hall on Wednesdays in November.

Required documentation—approved by the town council—consists of a copy of each child’s birth certificate, a copy of food stamps verification, a copy of a current check stub for both parents and a $2 non-refundable application fee.

The application fee will go in the Toys For Kids fund.

Haigler said the program hopes to receive about $10,000 to purchase children’s gifts.

“We welcome donations any time up until Christmas,” Haigler said. “Anything from the previous year that’s not spent is carried over to the next year.”

Haigler said monetary donations should be sent in by the end of November to allow time for Toys For Kids volunteers to shop for each child’s toys.

The tentative deadline for donating new toys is Dec. 15, Haigler said, and they can be dropped off at town hall.

Monetary donations can be sent to P.O. Box 9, Maplesville, 36750.

“I’m proud of the town for participating,” Haigler said. “This is for people in our community that need help. We want to help those that are deserving.”

For more information, contact Mayor Aubrey Latham, Police Chief Todd Ingram or Town Clerk Sheila Haigler at (334) 366-4211.