Toys for Tots brings Christmas spirit to local children
Toys for Tots
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POLSON – Community members in Lake and Sanders Counties helped create happy holiday experiences for local children this year.
Toys for Tots collects toys around the holiday season and distributes them to children who might otherwise not get a gift during the season. The program is a national effort led by the U.S. Marine Corps. It has been running since 1991. Toys for Tots has collected toys and applications from families who need them.
The drive was a success this year. “It’s fantastic,” said member Mauri Morin.
He has been involved in the toy drive for over 15 years. Morin is a Marine veteran. “I think it’s a worthy cause,” he said. “We take care of a lot of kids worldwide.”
Morin said every child should get a fun present around the holidays.
“It’s important that all kids, regardless of their economic situation, receive toys at Christmas,” he said. “It’s a Christian thing to do.”
The local Toys for Tots program receives handmade rocking horses to distribute to some children. Three years ago, Western Building supply started providing the Polson High School with the plans and materials to put together rocking horses as gifts.
The students construct and paint the rocking horses in art and woodworking class. The students put personal touches on each rocking horse to create one-of-a-kind gifts. Morin said families have been thrilled to receive the rocking horses. “If we had 200 of them, we’d get rid of them in a New York minute,” he said.
Community members donated toys and funds to make the program possible. Toys were collected at a number of local businesses, and funds were accepted online. The toy drive will occur again next year.
