Making sure every child has a toy on Christmas morning is the festive annual mission that fuels a holiday train through New York’s communities, bringing joy one present at a time.
The local Toys for Tots program kicked off at the U.S. Marines Reserve Base in Glenville on Thursday, Oct. 27, with the Marine Corps Reserves’ Dunkin’ Donuts Toys for Tots Train delivering donations. Canadian Pacific will operate the train and travel to 12 communities throughout the state. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped at more than 400 locations throughout the Capital District, along with more than 100 Dunkin’ Donuts stores.
This is the third year Dunkin’ Donuts has donated money to the holiday campaign, with $25,000 from the company and franchise owners being given this year. In 2009, the company saved the program from going under. Funds are used to not only purchase toys, because winter coats are also distributed to children. The South Colonie School District will administer the coat drive.
Eric Stensland, field marketing manager for Dunkin’ Donuts, said he was pleased to once again be a part of the holiday effort.
“For the past two years, I’ve had the privilege myself of witnessing firsthand the dedication of these fantastic marines as they run the Toys for Tots holiday train and bring smiles to the children of the community,” Stensland said. “I speak on behalf of my local owners … we couldn’t think of an organization more worthy of support during the holiday season.”
The Glenville Walmart also donated $20,000 toward the campaign, which was raised through the store. Store Manager Kirk Christian said last year a representative for Toys for Tots contacted him to help out with shopping.
“I have kids of my own and if they needed help I would wish somebody would help them out,” Christian said. “We are glad to be a help.”
There are 50 employees from the store volunteering five hours each to provide a guaranteed 250 hours for the campaign. Most of the toys purchased for the Albany-centered campaign will also be purchased from the Glenville Walmart.
“They all live in this area … so they definitely wanted to help out,” Christian said.
Following effects of flooding from Tropical Storms Irene and Lee leaving many out of their homes or trying to rebuild, the need for donations is even greater.
“We are looking to really step up our numbers due to the tragedy we had earlier this year throughout the area to distribute more toys,” said Staff Sgt. James Bolen, Toys for Tots coordinator for the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve, who added the campaign runs all the way up to the Canadian border.
Last year’s goal of collecting 120,000 toys was reached and this year, Bolen said, a similar amount of support is needed.
The Toys for Tots train will begin its 2011 run on Saturday, Dec. 3, in Binghamton and make regional stops in Oneonta, Cobleskill and Delanson. The following day it will travel from Albany to Rouse Point with stops in Mechanicville, Saratoga and Whitehall.
Michael O’Sullivan, road foreman for Canadian Pacific, said all the train crews also volunteer their time, but are more than willing to help. This is his fourth year being on the train.
“I have way more volunteers than I can use each year,” O’Sullivan said.
When the train stops at one of the scheduled communities, the Marine Corps Reserves are joined by “elves” to hand out the toys to children. At the back of the train, Marines unload bags of toys going to various social services groups.
O’Sullivan said since he is a Marine, besides getting to help out families, he enjoys working with his fellow Marines.
“Working with the Marine Corps for a weekend is extremely special, but ultimately it is to see the joy of the children when they are receiving a toy,” O’Sullivan.
Kevin Garcia, an area Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee, was able to hop on the train last year to help deliver toys and it was an experience he wouldn’t soon forget.
“They are all lined up and it is fun to get out there with bags of toys,” Garcia said. “It is great to see kids happy and know we are coming. We try to let them pick out there own toys.”
For information on drop box locations, to become a drop box location, hold an event to raise donations or to volunteer, visit the Toys for Tots website at www.toysfortots.org and select New York from the drop down list under “Find a Local Campaign Office,” and select the nearest location. Non-profit groups can also request toys through the local campaign page.
