Child turns toy drive into something special
BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR.
Correspondent

Victoria Migneco, 9, of Jackson, has been collecting gently used toys and will donate them to the Catholic Charities Emergency Services Program of Ocean County, which will hand them out to children who are less fortunate than others.

JACKSON - If only all 9-year-olds took such joy in cleaning their rooms.

From the simple exercise of rounding up her old toys as part of spring cleaning, Jackson resident Victoria Migneco, 9, hatched a community service project centered on donating toys to underprivileged children.

The "Spring Clean for Children in Need" effort began when Victoria and her mother, Debbie, noticed the abundance of gently used toys populating Victoria's bedroom.

Since the toys were in fine condition, but Victoria did not play with them any longer, Debbie said she had a hard time just throwing them away.

That's when Victoria pitched the idea of giving the toys to charity. Her mother loved the proposal and suggested Victoria partner with a local organization to accept the donations.

The Catholic Charities Emergency Services Program of Ocean County in Lakewood was more than willing to accept the offer.

Debbie said she was not surprised by her daughter's desire to help others.

"Victoria is very community-focused," she said. "Victoria always has been concerned about caring for other people besides herself."

But Victoria wanted to do more. After all, she reasoned, if she had so many unused toys, other children her age probably did, too. So, Victoria spoke in front of her Elms Elementary School peers and her karate partners from Full Circle Do Jang in Wanamassa and asked other children to "spring clean" their rooms and part with their unused toys.

Her peers responded in a big way. Dolls, stuffed animals, action figures, puzzles and toys of all types have since made their way to the Mignecos' house. Children who donated toys were awarded with certificates and lapel pins adorned with ribbons.

"Toys are coming in buckets," Debbie said.

Shortly, the first batch of donations will arrive at the Catholic Charities Emer-gency Services Program of Ocean County. Program Director Camille Lopez said she will distribute the toys to her clients.

The nonprofit organization opened its Lakewood branch in 1997 and since then has provided free access to food, clothing and other forms of personal assistance to all Ocean County residents. Last year, 15,000 residents used the program. Lopez said the organization provides the basic necessities of life - but that rarely includes toys.

"Toys fall low on the totem pole of what's needed in the home," Lopez said before applauding Victoria's efforts. "Obviously, at a very young age she has recognized there is a need. We've had youth help with donations before, but not toys. That's what distinguishes her from the others."

As children begin their summer vacation and start to visit the Lakewood office of the organization with their parents, Lopez said the timing is perfect for Victoria's "Spring Clean" to make a meaningful impact on scores of lives.

Driving Victoria's desire to help the community is her standing as a karate student just shy of earning a prestigious black belt. An important component of achieving that level is to participate in service projects. Victoria will test for her black belt in December.

Caring by nature, Victoria said the "Spring Clean" remains very important to her.

"It makes me feel really good," the youngster said. "I've always liked to help the poor and to just make the world a better place."

Debbie is proud of her daughter, especially since she designed the toy drive by herself.

"This is a very difficult challenge for her, but something she wanted to do," Debbie said. "It's her vision, though; she spearheaded it."

Victoria said she hopes to continue helping others as she gets older. A self-proclaimed dog lover and animal lover, Victoria is interested in working for the humane society someday.

To donate toys to the "Spring Clean for Children in Need," Debbie Migneco can be reached at jmigneco@optonline.net.