Lake County Toys for Tots collects toys, takes requests
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News from Lake County Toys for Tots
LAKE COUNTY – Toys for Tots has placed donation boxes for new and unwrapped toys in various locations in St. Ignatius, Charlo, Ronan, Pablo, Polson and Big Arm.
For those who would like to apply for toys for their children, contact the program through the website at www.toysfortots.org; email lkcot4ts@gmail.com; or telephone at 406-212-2622. Toy requests must be received by Dec. 15.
Distribution will be held Friday, Dec 20, through Sunday, Dec 22. We will provide document requirements and distribution details once we have received the application as we do not accept walk-ins.
The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is directed by the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, with the assistance of his staff, from the Marine Forces Reserve.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Marine Toys for Tots. An IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity, it serves as the authorized fundraising and support organization for the Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation provides the leadership, funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns. The foundation staff is headquartered in the Cooper Center located just outside the main gate of Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.
Local campaigns are conducted annually in over 800 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Commander, Marine Forces Reserve has under his command over 150 Reserve Units located in 47 states. To cover all 50 states and more communities in each state, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation selects Marine Corps League Detachment and local community organizations (generally veteran Marines) located in communities without a Marine Reserve Center, to conduct Toys for Tots Campaigns as part of the overall Marine Toys for Tots Program.
One individual, either a Marine, member of a Marine Corps League Detachment or member of a local community organization, is designated the Toys for Tots Coordinator for that community. The coordinator is responsible to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation for planning, organizing and conducting the campaign in his/her community.
Local toy collection campaigns begin in October. Members of the community drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender. At Christmas, coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to children of the community.
While Toys for Tots Coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.
Local business leaders play key roles. They allow coordinators to locate drop-off/collection boxes in their stores; provide warehouse space for storing and sorting toys; provide vehicles to collect toys from drop-off sites; sponsor toy raising events; and help coordinators arrange media exposure for Toys for Tots in the local community.
