The Herkimer County Detachment of the Marine Corps League began shopping for toys for its Toys for Tots program Saturday at Family Dollar in Mohawk.
Cochairman Dick Mayhew said this year’s program will help children in Herkimer and Oneida counties, with the annual giveaway scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Marine Corps League on Second Street in Ilion.
Anyone wishing to register for the giveaway is asked to call Mayhew at 717-0079 or Cochairman Frank Trevor at 866-4248 between 4 and 7 p.m.
“When people call all we ask is that they tell us if its a boy or a girl, as well as the child’s name and age,” said Mayhew. “Once the family is on the list, they can come and pick up their toys on Dec. 19.”
Families are provided with one large toy, two smaller toys and four “stocking stuffers” through the program. Children are not allowed to attend the giveaway.
“If the numbers are similar to last year, we should help between 500 and 800 children this year,” said Mayhew. “This includes our work with area schools, and the families who register for our giveaway.”
Mayhew stressed that all donations made to the Toys for Tots program stay local. “There is a misconception out there that the money you donate to our program goes down south and never comes back,” he said. “But that’s not the case.
The money that is donated to our program stays local and is spent right here in local stores.” The Marine Corps League is still accepting donations for the Toys for Tots program, with collection points located around the valley. Shopping days similar to the one on Saturday will be held at other Mohawk Valley stores in the coming weeks.
