Toys for Tots Reaches Goal To Help Area Children

Organizers say a plea in the last week of the campaign brought in thousands of toys and helped them meet a growing need from human service agencies in the region.  While toys are still being counted, it’s estimated over 23,000 toys were collected and distributed to needy families in the region.

“Just a week ago we didn’t think there was any way we would fulfill all of the requests,”
 says Toys for Tots coordinator, Maggie Kent.  “An outpouring of support in the final days helped to put us over the top.”  Kent says the local Toys for Tots campaign provided toys to 17 agencies.  She says it was a record year for the number of toy requests.

Kent adds that corporate donations played a key roll throughout the annual toy drive.  “Fox Motors was able to bring in over 13,000 toys with their promotion in conjunction with the Great Wolf Lodge and Meijer added over $10,000 to the campaign this year.”  She also praised the efforts of volunteers who worked out of the Cherryland VFW who purchased and assembled over 180 bicycles.  Plus recognized a Michigan Blood promotion that contributed $4,000 in the last two weeks.

Toys are distributed through nearly every major human service agency in the region including; The Father Fred Foundation, Goodwill, Benzie and Leelanau Family Independent Agencies, K.A.I.R. in Kalkaska, the Mancelona Family Resource Center and others.  Northwest Michigan Toys for Tots serves Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim and Kalkaska Counties and helps coordinate some activities with campaigns in Otsego and Wexford Counties.

Employees of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK played a critical role in picking up toys at over 100 locations throughout the area, while the Coast Guard Airstation helped with storage and distribution.  Other corporate sponsors included Bill Marsh Auto, Bay Area Transportation Authority, Traverse City Record-Eagle, TV 7&4, ABC 29 &8, radio stations WKLT, The Fox FM, YOU FM, WLDR and Sara Lee.

Now in its 64^th year, Toys for Tots is the largest toy-gathering program in the country.  It is organized by the Marine Corps Reserves.  More information is available at www.ToysForTots.org.