Though there were slightly fewer toy donations than last year, the Toys for Tots program is poised to supply gifts for more than 800 children and many charitable organizations within the community.
Members of the West Central Illinois Leathernecks Marine Corps League 1177, sponsors of the program, joined with volunteers Monday through Wednesday to sort toys donated through Toys for Tots boxes scattered around businesses in the Jacksonville area.
Coordinator Tim Ritzo said the community and the Toys for Tots Foundation donated many nice toys for children this year.
“You can’t say that the community didn’t step in, because they do every year,” Ritzo said. “There were some really, really nice gifts this year. We have enough to go around.”
For the 36th year running, the Toys for Tots program has collected cash and toys for kids in need. Generally, those toys are distributed at a Christmas bash held by the Marine Corps League. This year, the group is trying something different.
Today through Saturday, the toys will be given out at the Jacksonville Community Center along with wrapping paper so they can be placed under trees. Parents and guardians only are asked to go to the center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday to collect gifts.
While many do register for the event, registration is not required.
Volunteer Carol Smith said because there’s no way to tell how many parents and guardians will show up, the group does its best to collect as many toys as possible.
“The Toys for Tots Foundation gives us money and we went to Toys ‘R Us to buy toys in addition to the donations. We spent about $5,000 over there,” Smith said. “There are people that will show up [today] that aren’t on a list, so we have to make sure that we have enough toys.”
Each parent will get two to three toys for each child. Extra toys are donated to charities and organizations such as Big Brother Big Sisters, which give them out during their own Christmas celebrations.
Those wanting to volunteer to help out at the distribution are welcome to show up on any of the days.
“We want to thank all of the volunteers that help us and also to the community,” Ritzo said. “We’ll pick up the collection jars after Christmas and we go right into working for next year.”
Toys for Tots is a national campaign that began in Los Angeles in 1947 when a group of Marine reservists collected toys for children in need.
