We’re pleased to announce that we are an official drop-off point for this year’s Marine Corps Reserves’ Dunkin’ Donuts Toys for Tots Train program. Stop by our office at 341 Delaware Ave. in Delmar to donate a new, unwrapped toy, and you can pick up a free copy of one of our Spotlight editions.
This is the first year we’ve participated in the annual program, which delivers toys to young children who wouldn’t otherwise receive presents for the holidays. However, it’s not the first time we’ve helped out at holiday time. Last year, our office bought and delivered gifts to a local family in need, so getting involved with the Toys for Tots Train is a logical continuation of our goal to help those in our community. Bethlehem reporter Marcy Velte deserves a special thanks for being the driving force behind our involvement in these programs.
More than 400 other locations across the region are also serving as drop-off points, with the goal of delivering presents to 200,000 children in the Greater Capital Region. Winter coats are also being accepted at select locations across the region.
The Toys for Tots Train campaign began earlier than usual last month in an effort to reach its goal of serving those 200,000 children in need of a little holiday joy. In order to make it happen, several companies, including Dunkin’ Donuts, Freihofer’s, Wal-Mart, Keeler Motor Car Company and Sondra’s Fine Jewelry have donated money to make certain the train will run again this year.
There was a time in 2009 when it appeared the Toys for Tots Train might be derailed due to a lack of funds, but Dunkin’ Donuts stepped in to donate the money necessary to keep the program going. Since then, more companies have gotten on board financially to allow toys to be delivered via train from Binghamton to Rouses Point.
Our goal is to deliver a full box of toys to the train. Therefore, we’re asking you to drop by our office between now and Friday, Dec. 13, during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday) with your donations. Teddy bears, board games, model cars – anything you believe a child would like to have for Christmas is welcome.
You can do your part for the program in other ways, too, such as raising money and volunteering to help at the distribution center, which will be located at Integra Networks at Albany International Airport. Visit toysfortots.org to find out how you can participate.
We realize that with economic conditions still shaky for many area families, it’s not always easy to find the extra money to spend on a toy for others. But if you think about the look of joy on a child’s face when he or she opens a present on Christmas morning, you know that it’s worth it.
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