Valley Toys for Tots

In an effort to bring holiday cheer to those less fortunate this season, Basement Systems is working with TEAM, Inc., and the Valley Chamber of Commerce to help out the Valley chapter of Toys for Tots. Basement Systems will act as an official drop-off site for toys and donations, as well as donate a truck to pick up donations from various local organizations such as the post office, banks, daycare centers and other places. John Kay, of Basement Systems, is spearheading the project and has donated his time driving the truck to pick up donated toys for young children and money to go towards gifts for older children and teenagers.

"The older children kind of get left out," said Kay. He added that those who donate have also given gift certificates to movie theaters or video game stores for older kids and teenagers in need. Last week, Kay took a Basement Systems truck to 20 local businesses and collected toys.

Last weekend, he set up a tent at Sears hardware store in Shelton and collected over 40 toys and over $100 in cash donations. Kay is planning on making more pickups later this week and next week. The donations will go to the Valley Toys for Tots toy store in Ansonia and needy families will be able to go in and pick out four toys per child for free. The toys will be arranged by age group. Those who wish to help may bring toys December 17, 18, 19 and 22 to the official drop-off sites. Check out www.teaminc.org for information.

"We're probably going to do a lot more events like this in the future," said Kay.

TEAM, Inc., is a non-profit community action corporation that helps individuals and families become more self-sufficient and provides aid to those who need it. Basement Systems, Inc., is a global company that specializes in basement waterproofing, crawl spaces, foundation repair and basement finishing. It has a network of more than 300 basement waterproofing contractors and crawl space environment specialists throughout America, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Basement Systems offers free inspections and estimates to homeowners with leaky basements or dirt crawl spaces.

For more information, contact John Kay at Basement Systems at 1-800-261-3693, ext. 9429.