The toy room at the Child Advocacy Resource and Education (c.a.r.e) center in Evans was once full of toys.

Now, toy-room shelves are empty and c.a.r.e. coordinators wonder how this will affect the hundreds of children and parents using the center.

The nonprofit agency at 3700 Golden St. offers parenting classes, children's groups and a visitation center for parents who have lost custody of their children. Through its visitation center, parents and children can meet and reconnect as they solve domestic problems.

The lack of toys at the center, however, comes as a result of the August 2007 toy recall, which prompted toy manufacturer giant, Fisher-Price and later Mattel Inc., to recall nearly 1 million Chinese-assembled toys because paint used on the toys contained excessive amounts of lead.

To ensure the safety of children and parents, c.a.r.e. staff members removed all its toys made in China.

"The visitation room (CareHouse) was the most affected by the toy recall," said Chris Sarlo-Bergmann, community education coordinator for c.a.r.e. "The purpose of the visitation center is to provide parents the opportunity to interact with their kids through the toys and games we provide."

According to Sarlo-Bergmann, the toys, which were acquired by c.a.r.e. through community donations and individual purchases, were an essential tool for the high-risk parents who utilize c.a.r.e. services and rely on its toys to manage and coordinate their visitation dates.

"We are trying to improve parenting skills, and toys give kids, as well as parents, something to do," Sarlo-Bergmann said. "Kids are kids, and when they come in to c.a.r.e and see their favorite toy missing, it's hard."

Now, in light of the toy recall, staffers are asking for cash donations.

"With cash we can do our own research on toys," Sarlo-Bergmann said. "We'd hate to be given a toy, then have to throw it away because it is unsafe."

Other area nonprofits and advocacy-child centers say they have not been affected.

"Right before the recall, we got rid of our older toys," said Christina Wilson, program manager for the child-advocacy program at CASA, 924 11th St. Ste. B, Greeley, which is a nonprofit agency that helps children involved in the court system. "We really don't have toys affected, thankfully, because we typically have stuffed animals."

To Help:

For those interested in sending a cash donation to c.a.r.e to buy new toys, mail to: c.a.r.e, 3700 Golden St., Evans, CO 80620, or call (970)-356-6751 Ext. 301.