There is a new conductor at the head of the annual holiday toy collection that has brought smiles to thousands of children.
The Marine Corps League kicked of this year’s Toys for Tots campaign on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at its new home in Hannaford Plaza in Rotterdam. The collection program transitioned from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to the volunteer association comprised of enlisted and retired Marines following military budget cuts. The headquarters were previously located at the Marine Corps Reserve base in Glenville, but the transition meant a new location was needed to house thousands of donated toys.
“The Marine Corps League and the retirees … don’t want this program to die, so we jumped forward and we took it over,” said Bob Becker, local coordinator of Toys for Tots, who has been active in the program for more than 40 years.
An outpouring of support helped ease the transition, which required even more funding from local businesses to continue operations.
“One week we had nothing and then at the end of the week we had people ready to step up and rock ’n’ roll,” said retired Gunnery Sgt. Albert Roman Jr. “Hannaford got my three different locations and this was the best fit for us.”
Hannaford Supermarkets set up an arrangement with Nigro Companies, which is providing a 4,600-square-foot space to store donated toys. Hannaford is providing a tractor-trailer for overflow and additional storage.
Once again, Dunkin’ Donuts is the program’s main sponsor and is donating $30,000. The company has given $110,000 over four years.
Eric Stensland, field marketing manager for Dunkin’ Donuts, applauded the Marine Corps League for continuing the program.
“For the past three years, I have had the distinct privilege of witnessing the unbelievable dedication aboard the Dunkin’ Donuts Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Train firsthand,” Stensland said.
Becker said he looks forward to the program every year because it “puts a smile on his face.” He has traveled on the train many times, too. The Toys for Tots train will stop at 12 area communities this year from Dec. 8 to 9.
Becker recalled stopping in the Village of Port Henry in Essex County one year when a young boy received a bike. Once it was in the boy’s hands there was no way he was letting go of it.
“We could not get his hands off that bike,” Becker said. “We had to put him and the bike in the car together. He was crying and so happy … that he got a bike.”
There are other moving moments when he has seen kids standing outside in 15-degree weather with T-shirts full of holes. He stressed the importance for people to help out needy children.
“A young girl will give up her toy just to get a blanket or a coat,” he said.
The South Colonie Central School District for several years has collected coats to donate along with the toys.
Wal-Mart, for the second year in a row, is donating $20,000. Other businesses supporting the campaign include Friehofer’s, Keeler Motor Car Company and Sondra’s Fine Jewelry.
This year’s goal is to collect 150,000 toys to give to around 125,000 children. To date, Becker said 2 percent of orders are in already and the toy request is 10 percent above last year’s level, with 20,000 toys already requested. Becker said many families continue to struggle in the difficult economy.
Residents are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys, which will be collected at more than 400 locations throughout the Capital District, along with more than 100 Dunkin’ Donuts stores and Hannaford Supermarkets.
The group often struggles when it comes to donations of toys for infants to 3 years and boys and girls from 9 to 12 years old, according to Roman.
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. Nonprofit groups can also request toys through the local campaign page.