Leader office Toys for Tots drop off spot

POLSON – The Lake County Leader office will be a drop off spot for year’s Toys for Tots campaign.

“We want to help provide joy to the 5,000 kids who will be blessed by the action of a caring stranger,” said Leader reporter Michelle Lovato. “I want to see those families get an abundant blessing this year.”

Mauri Morin, of Marine Corp Hellroaring Detachment 1041, is the 2014 Toys for Tots Foundation representative.

Contributors will be donating to children in Lake and Sanders County, Morin said.

“Collecting for two counties makes large donation collection vital,” Lovato said. “We have a giant box in our Polson office just waiting to be filled.  Folks can come by at any time and drop off their donation.”

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted, a Toys for Tots website said.

Toys not allowed are realistic-looking weapons and toys with food, toys like chemistry sets or perhaps bath sets will fall into the category of item with chemicals, but are acceptable and may be distributed, the website said.

Morin said he’s dropped boxes off in a large variety of locations and can continue to expand distribution locations. A Toys for Tots volunteer will collect toys periodically and will continue collecting at the Leader office until Dec. 19.

The Leader Advertiser office is located at 49488 Highway 93 in Polson and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Morin said a complete list of Toys for Tots drop off locations can be found at http://polson-mt.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/local-contact-us.aspx.

Members from the Marine Corps League Hellroaring Detachment 1041, Share the Spirit, the Flathead Indian Reservation, many local Businesses and citizens of both counties along with our National Corporate Partners work together to provide gifts and special needs for children right here at home.

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity is the fund raising, funding and support organization for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps and provides support in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, who directs the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991.

Morin can be contacted at 406-249-2250.

Once items are collected, Share the Spirit will distribute this year’s Toys for Tots contributions.

For a complete list of drop-off locations, see www.toysfortots.org.