Local Toys for Tots organization collecting through Dec. 13

STATE COLLETGE — Centre County Toys for Tots is up and running again in 2017.

This is a program to obtain toys for needy children started by the Marine Corps Reserve in 1947. This is the 31^st year of a county wide campaign in Centre County.

There are currently about 300 collection points in Centre County and toys and food will be collected until Wednesday, Dec. 13. Wrapping of the toys will begin on Friday, Dec. 15 and run through Sunday, Dec. 17 with additional days only if needed. Collection points and the wrapping schedule are available at https://lemont-pa.toysfortots.org.|

Those seeking assistance in providing toys to their children should contact their local food pantry. It is through these food pantries that those in need are identified and the food pantries will provide Centre County Toys for Tots a list by age and gender of the children that are in need of toys.

Because of the importance of the food pantries to the campaign, more than 10 years ago, it was asked to also help in collecting food.  As a result, the organization asking for donations of food along with toys. The food may be taken directly to a local food pantry, but any food collected with the toys will then be distributed to the food pantries along with the toys.

Monetary donations are also accepted which allows for purchase of toys in the age groups that we are always short. That is for infants to two year olds and for children ages 10 and above. 

Those donations may be made directly to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation at the webpage listed above or may be in the form of a check made payable to “Marine Toys for Tots” and received at Allstate Insurance 1380 N. Atherton St., State College, PA 16803. 

Any donations that come to this address are forwarded to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation but then held in a sub-account for our use in Centre County.  Donations received this year will purchase toys next October for the 2018 campaign just as the funds from last year purchased nearly $20,000 in toys this year.

Questions may be directed to Gene Weller, Major, USMCR (Ret), coordinator, Centre County Toys for Tots.