Annual Toys for Tots campaign under way
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Suffering more economic hardship than usual, many families have to choose between the basics of food, heat and shelter and trying to fulfill a child’s wish list. That’s where community members throughout Aroostook County can offer a helping hand.
Toys for Tots has a long-standing tradition of not only just supplying a toy to a child, but hope despite their plight in life.
If a community does not have a Marine Corps Reserve Unit, the campaign can be conducted by a Marine Corps League Detachment group, such as the one based in Houlton.
The Aroostook County Marine Corps League Detachment 1368 will be collecting new, unwrapped toys during the first part of December. The toys will then be distributed as Christmas gifts to the needy children in the community.
Bernard “Berny” Reece is the Toys for Tot coordinator for southeastern Aroostook County.
“My area of responsibility is from Mars Hill through Houlton and Hodgdon down to Danforth,” Reece explained. “It includes all schools within each district.”
Other Toys for Tots coordinators are Blanche Russell for southwestern Aroostook County and Rudy St. Peter for northern Aroostook County.
The goal of the Toys for Tots campaign is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. The objective is to help less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas. The Aroostook County Marine Corps League Detachment 1368 wants to play an active role in the development of one of the nation’s most valuable resources — children.
Aroostook County Marine Corps League Detachment 1368 is hoping to unite local communities in a common cause during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign, along with contributing to better communities in the future.
Reece noted that Toys for Tots boxes are crying to be filled to make another child’s Christmas at the following locations: Houlton Chamber of Commerce. Houlton High School, Hodgdon Mill Pond and Hodgdon High School, Military Street Baptist Church, St. Mary’s Church, Houlton Wesleyan Church, S. W. Collins, Tractor Supply, The Career Center, Lisa’s Hair Salon, Houlton Town Office, Houlton Police Department, McDonalds and Bangor Savings.
Drop Box locations and coin containers for donations in Mars Hill, Blaine and Bridgewater are: Mars Hill Pharmacy, Sargent & Tweedie Truck Brokerage, Mars Hill IGA, F.A. Peabody, Family Dollar, Bridgewater Town Office, Blaine Town Office, Scovill Building Supply, Mars Hill Subway/APEX(Foster’s One Stop), Smith’s Truck Brokerage, Shallie’s Place and Al’s Restaurant.
The toys will be picked up each Friday until Dec. 19.
“Thank you to all those who are willing to make a difference in a little one’s life,” Reece said.
Local Toys for Tots Campaign coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, including golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toys and monetary donations.
To donate, make checks payable to Toys for Tots and mail to Bernard Reece, 8 Alfred St., Houlton, Maine or visit www.toysfortots.org.
“Checks will be forwarded to the foundation and will be put on a credit card to be used to buy toys for this area where the donations came from,” added Reece.
