A Christmas toy drive and distribution for children in the Panther Valley School District was announced this week.

The district along with its community partners are launching the Panther Valley Holiday Heroes toy collection and distribution for children ages birth through 12 years old who live in the district.

The program hopes to fill the void left when The Schuylkill-Carbon Marine Corps League announced it could no longer continue the Toys for Tots campaign in Carbon County.

District officials stated they appreciate the Marine Corps League’s many years’ efforts in this campaign to help families put toys under the Christmas tree.

The district hopes that another organization will take over the campaign in the future. Until then, the district is working with its long-standing partners and some new partners in creating the interim program.

District organizers hope that every enrolled child will receive at least two unwrapped gifts from community donations collected throughout the drive. Volunteers will select toys appropriate for the child’s age and gender.

The Holiday Heroes program will be open to all children up to 12 years of age (or currently in sixth grade) who have a primary residence within the district’s boundaries.

The primary residence must be in the Panther Valley zip codes of 18232, Lansford; 18240, Nesquehoning; 18250, Summit Hill; or 18218, Coaldale.

Registration

An in-person registration will be mandatory for children to receive gifts through the campaign, just as it was for the Toys for Tots campaign, district officials said. No phone, email or virtual registrations will be accepted.

Registration is set for these days and time:

• Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon outside the Panther Valley Elementary School.

• Oct. 26 from 3-6 p.m. in the lobby of the Panther Valley Junior-Senior High School.

• Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon in the lobby of the Panther Valley Junior-Senior High School.

Requirements

Following the same registration requirements as Toys for Tots, only a child’s biological parent or legal guardian with physical custody is permitted to register a child and pick up gifts.

Registration requirements vary slightly based on school enrollment status.

For those enrolled in kindergarten through sixth grade, parents/guardians must present a photo identification matching the parent or guardian with physical custody listed in the Sapphire portal. Birth certificates are not required for students enrolled in the district.

For not-yet school-age children and other school-age children, parents/guardians must present a photo identification, proof of residence and the child’s birth certificate or legal custody paperwork matching the identification name.

If the address listed on the photo identification does not display one of the four qualifying zip codes, a separate proof of residence within the district must be presented that matches the name on the photo ID.

All required documents must be presented at the time of registration. No exceptions.

Distribution

Each parent or guardian will receive a numbered ticket upon completing registration that must be presented to pick up gifts.

The toy pickup will take place Dec. 11 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center, 355 W. Railroad St., Nesquehoning. No other pickup dates will be available.

The numbered ticket issued during registration must be presented at pickup to claim gifts. All gifts will be distributed unwrapped.

Families and community members looking to learn more about registration requirements are encouraged to visit www.panthervalley.org, where additional information can be found.

Drop-off locations

The following local partners will be drop-off locations for anyone wishing to donate a new unwrapped toy. Stuffed toys and clothing are not being accepted.

• Nesquehoning — the Mauch Chunk Trust Company inside Redner’s, Narrow Valley Sportsplex and the No. 3 Café.

• Lansford — the No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum, Valley Athletic.

• Summit Hill — St. Joseph’s Church/Knights of Columbus Panther Valley Council No. 7300 and Hiles Bros.

• Other — Country Inn & Suites in Lehighton.

Any business that would like to serve as a drop-off location or would make a monetary contribution to the program, contact Emma Hope, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Community school coordinator, at the elementary school at 570-669-9411.

District officials would also to thank the following partners: United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Carbon Career & Technical Institute and the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors Association.