NORWICH – Four days after Toys for Tots of Chenango County lost hundreds of items to a fire that ripped through The Storage Center, LLC in the Town of Norwich, Toys for Tots organizers are reaching out to the community to replenish the toy stock in time for the holidays.

Toys for Tots estimates more than $8,000 worth of merchandise was lost in the fire that destroyed a 40-unit storage shed at The Storage Center on County Road 32 in Norwich on Nov. 30. Each year, Toys for Tots keeps toys stored away for the following year because toy distribution begins just after Thanksgiving – before the organization receives a brunt of its new toy donations from community members. Toys for Tots also uses funds from its annual budget to make purchases throughout the year, which had also been kept at The Storage Center.

Cause of the fire at The Storage Center is still under investigation by the New York State Police and the Chenango County Bureau of Fire. Due to the size of the building, officials say results of the investigation could take weeks.

“A lot of people ask why we have toys left over in the first place,” said Melinda Mandeville, Toys for Tots coordinator for Catholic Charities of Chenango County. “A lot of people don’t donate toys until Christmas gets closer. Having those extra toys (in storage) gives us something to start with.”

According to organizers for Toys for Tots, the loss from the fire was devastating. But thanks to a community effort, the organization is well on its way to recovery.

“There have been a lot of businesses and individuals locally who have stepped up to help,” said Dennis Rifanburg, local Toys for Tots organizer. Since news of the fire spread throughout the county (and beyond), hundreds of toys have been donated to Toys for Tots and it received thousands in monetary pledges. On Monday, Visions Federal Credit Union made out a check of $5,000 to Toys for Tots of Chenango County; and WCDO Radio in Sidney sponsored a toy drive that resulted in more than $3,000 donated within a 12-hour span.