Residents urged to participate in Toys for Tots program
By Steve Ferris Herald-Standard
Fayette County residents still have time to help children of needy families have a merry Christmas by donating new or unwrapped toys to the Marine Corps Reserve’s annual Toys for Tots program.
Former U.S. Marine Daniel F. Martin, commandant of the Marine Corps League’s Laurel Highlands Detachment 732, has been running the Toys for Tots program in the county for the last five years.
“I’ve never seen such kind and caring people in all my life,” said Martin.
Martin noted that the Toys for Tots provided more than 5,000 presents to more than 1,100 children up to 12 years old last year and he expects this year’s the total to exceed 1,200 children.
Residents have until Dec. 17 to drop off toys in donation barrels have been set in stores and businesses throughout the county, he said.
Establishments that have donation barrels have posters in their windows to let people know about the program.
“It’s been very well received” by the many stores, restaurants, banks and other businesses that participate, Martin said.
More than 1,100 parents registered their children for gifts. Each registered child receives two toys and a stocking stuffer.
Registration is now closed, but left over toys will be available for those who did not sign up.
Martin said people who registered and whose last name begins with the letters A-L can pick up their gifts on Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Connellsville Airport. The remaining people who registered can pick up their presents until 4 p.m. Dec. 19.
People who did not register can come to the airport after 4 p.m. to receive any leftover toys, he said.
Martin works with 25 volunteers who pick up donated toys, separate them by age and sex and help distribute them.
He said a single Marine started Toys for Tots in California in 1947.
American Legion Post 301, Anchor Glass, New Kote International, Richard Chevrolet, Connellsville Senior Center, Angelo’s Restaurant, Daily Courier, Connellsville City Hall, Connellsville High School, Lynn’s Dairy Queen, Highland Hospital, Adrians Market, Aiello & Cobb Dental Asst, Scottdale Veterinary, Scottdale Bank & Trust, Superior Car Sales, Dunbar Twp Elementary, Lynn’s Dairy Queen Brazier, JC Penny Company, Shop-N-Save, Frick Credit Union, Big Lots, Uniontown City Hall, Wal-Mart, Cherry Tree Square, National City Bank, First Federal, First Federal, Centennial Chevrolet.
UPS, National City Bank, Randall’s Restaurant, Adrians Market, Perry Drug, Geibel High School, Scottdale Bank, Crown Cork & Screw, United Cash Advance, Tractor Supply, Better Materials, Kathryn’s Jewelry, Uniontown Shopping Center, Penn Lines, Marine Corps Recruiter, Lido Caf?, National City Bank, YMCA, West Virginia Career Institute, Uniontown Mall, DeCarlo Chiropractic, Yough Lake Sports Shop, Walden Books, Human Services, Bob Evans, Export Tire, Fayette County Probation, Shop & Save, Cellular One, A-1 Printing, Scottdale Veterinary Clinic, VFW Post 7023, Ponderosa Steak House, Frazier High School.