Leathernecks mark 30 years for Toys for Tots
The Toys for Tots program in the mid-Mon Valley has come a long way since it started 30 years ago.
“When we started, we served about 500 to 600 kids,” said Wally Fronzaglio, a member of the Mon Valley Leathernecks and organizer of program.
Now the program serves an average of about 1,000 children yearly.
Fronzaglio said the Mon Valley Leathernecks are currently accepting donations through Dec. 16 and will distribute toys on Dec. 17 at the Donora Fire Hall, where they’ve done it the past seven years.
“When I open the doors, they are waiting outside,” Fronzaglio said. “The Marines pass out numbers, and the children are called into the fire hall.”
The distribution covers parts of Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette and Allegheny counties, and each child receives around seven toys.
“It’s a very hard day job, but the day we hand out toys makes it all worthwhile,” Fronzaglio said. “We see the looks on the kids’ faces. They are overwhelmed when they see all of these toys and they are permitted to come in and pick their toys.”
Toys for Tots is operated nationally by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, and the Leathernecks started doing it locally in 1986. Fronzaglio took over leadership of the program in 1989.
To help keep the program afloat locally, the Mon Valley Leathernecks will be out soliciting donations in early December. That money, along with funds raised by other businesses and organizations, helps to make the program successful, Fronzaglio said.
He said 50 boxes are set up at Mon Valley Hospital, ready for donations of new, unwrapped toys for the program.
“We hope to have a great turnout and people are generous and contribute to the program,” Fronzaglio said. “This is very important to the Marine Corps. It shows the Marine Corps cares for children and cares for the people of the community. It gives them a wonderful Christmas.
“That’s my Christmas.”
Registration forms for families seeking to be recipients for Toys for Tots can be picked up at the following locations: Davies Ford and the law offices of Bigi and Walsh, both in Charleroi; Dollar General in Bentleyville; American Legion Post 940 in West Brownsville; Standard Pharmacy in North Belle Vernon; Bill’s Golfland in Rostraver Township; Dierkens Pharmacy in Monongahela and Department of Public Welfare office in Donora
Donations can be mailed to Fronzaglio, c/o Toys for Tots, 204 Brokaw Ave., Donora, PA 15033.