MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM IS LOOKING FOR HELP. MORE THAN 50,000 AREA CHILDREN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. KMBC NINE S ALAN SHOPE TELLS US THEY ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TOYS SHORT AS THEIR DEADLINE GETS CLOSER. IT’S GETTING TOYS TO A NEEDY CHILD IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. YES, I’M SAYING HIS MOST POPULAR HELPERS DOING ALL THEY CAN TO HELP FAMILIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IN THE MARINES TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM IS ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. A LOT OF PEOPLE GO THROUGH HARD TIMES. THE GROUP SAYS THE NEED HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER. THEY’RE HOPING TO COLLECT TOYS FOR MORE THAN 52,000 AREA KIDS. THIS YEAR. THAT’S UP 7000 FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR. THE ECONOMY, IT’S JUST VERY DIFFICULT FOR SOME FAMILIES TO GET THE HELP THEY DESERVE AND NEED TO HELP WITH THAT. THE GROUP HAS OPENED A HUGE TOY DROP OFF SPOT AT THE OVERLAND PARK CONVENTION CENTER LOCATION THAT ALONE COLLECTED MORE THAN 26,000 TOYS LAST YEAR. THE GUNNERY SERGEANT SAYS. NOW THEY’RE IN THEIR FINAL STRETCH TILL DECEMBER 12TH, AND THEY’RE HOPING FOLKS WILL DROP OFF A BRAND NEW, UNWRAPPED TOY IN ONE OF THE DROP OFF BOXES. ONCE WE RECEIVE THAT TOY, IT’S COUNTED, SEPARATED, AND INVENTORIED. THE GROUP SAYS THERE’S A LOT OF EMPTY BOXES RIGHT NOW, AND THEY WANT TO FILL THEM WITH TOYS FOR KIDS AGE 12 TO 17 YEARS OLD BECAUSE THEY SAY RIGHT NOW THAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT AGE TO GET A DONATED TOY FOR. GIFT SETS, COSMETICS FOR THE YOUNG LADIES, JEWELRY, BOOKS BECAUSE, HE SAYS, ALL KIDS DESERVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON. GIVEN THAT NEW TOY TO THAT FAMILY SO THAT THEY CAN GIVE IT TO THEIR CHILDREN DURING CHRISTMAS. IT’S UNDESCRIBABLE. IN OVERLAND PARK ALAN SHOPE KMBC NINE NEWS, THAT TOY DROP OFF IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE OVERLAND PARK CONVENTION CENTER FOR A FULL LIST OF DROP OFF SITES
The Marines Toys for Tots program is urging the community to donate toys to help meet the needs of more than 52,000 children this holiday season.“A lot of people go through hard times,” said Gunnery Sgt. Erasmo Galaviz of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.The organization reports that the need for toys has never been higher, with a goal to collect toys for over 52,000 children—an increase of 7,000 from last year.“With the economy, it’s just very difficult for some families to get help. They deserve and need it,” Galaviz said.To facilitate donations, the program has set up a large toy drop-off location at the Overland Park Convention Center, which collected more than 26,000 toys last year.The drive is in its final stretch until Dec. 12, and organizers encourage people to drop off new, unwrapped toys in one of the designated boxes.“Once we receive that toy, it is counted, separated, and inventoried,” Galaviz said.The organization highlights a particular need for toys for children ages 12 to 17, as this age group is the most challenging for receiving donations.“Gift sets, cosmetics for young ladies, jewelry, books,” Galaviz said.He emphasized the importance of ensuring all children have a joyful holiday season.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. —
The Marines Toys for Tots program is urging the community to donate toys to help meet the needs of more than 52,000 children this holiday season.
“A lot of people go through hard times,” said Gunnery Sgt. Erasmo Galaviz of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
The organization reports that the need for toys has never been higher, with a goal to collect toys for over 52,000 children—an increase of 7,000 from last year.
“With the economy, it’s just very difficult for some families to get help. They deserve and need it,” Galaviz said.
To facilitate donations, the program has set up a large toy drop-off location at the Overland Park Convention Center, which collected more than 26,000 toys last year.
The drive is in its final stretch until Dec. 12, and organizers encourage people to drop off new, unwrapped toys in one of the designated boxes.
“Once we receive that toy, it is counted, separated, and inventoried,” Galaviz said.
The organization highlights a particular need for toys for children ages 12 to 17, as this age group is the most challenging for receiving donations.
“Gift sets, cosmetics for young ladies, jewelry, books,” Galaviz said.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring all children have a joyful holiday season.
