DANVILLE — Every child deserves to have a nice Christmas.
With that in mind, members of the Marine Corps League hope people in the area donate to Toys for Tots. Boxes have been set up at more than 88 businesses, monetary donations are being taken and volunteers will be on hand to personally collect toys on Dec. 3.
Toys for Tots is a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve project, and locally, it’s being coordinated by the Maj. Kenneth D. Bailey Detachment 824.
“Toys for Tots wouldn’t survive in this area if it wasn’t for the people of this county,” said Pam Taylor, coordinator of the local program. “These children are our future.”
Volunteers are making it convenient for people to donate, Taylor said, with the hopes of helping at least 2,500 children.
A toy drive will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the northwest corner of the parking lot at the Days Hotel, 77 N. Gilbert St. WIXY Radio is co-sponsoring that drive.
People can bring new, unwrapped toys for ages 4-12 during that time. They don’t even have to get out of their cars, she said. Monetary donations will be accepted, as well.
Toys collected in Vermilion County and parts of western Indiana stay local.
The toy drive goes through Dec. 11, with the toys and books being collected from boxes on Dec. 10 and 11. However, people may make monetary donations through the Marine Corps or online all year.
People also may drop off donations at the Vermilion Regional Airport.
In addition, there are paper Toys for Tots trains that sell for $1 each at each of the the three County Markets.
Taylor reminded families that the deadline to sign up for Toys for Tots donations is through Dec. 3 at the Salvation Army, 855 E. Fairchild St. Times are 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays.
Parents need to bring: photo ID, proof of everyone in the household with dates of birth, proof of income, all monthly bills, Social Security cards for everyone in the household and proof of address.
Then, on Dec. 16, toys will be distributed at St. James United Methodist Church.
For those unable to donate a toy or money who still want to help, Toys for Tots can always use volunteers to pick up toys, collect donations and deliver toys to the distribution center.
In addition to Vermilion County, the program also serves parts of Vermillion, Warren and Fountain counties in Indiana.
Taylor is an associate member of the Marine Corps League, which meets at the Vermilion Regional Airport. Volunteers meet at the airport to sort toys.
She said she appreciates all the people, churches, businesses, volunteers and community partners who have already donated time, money and toys to this program.
Learn more or donate money at: http://danville-il.toysfortots.org/
You also may mail a check or money order (made out to Toys for Tots) to Pamela S. Taylor, P.O. Box 85, Oakwood, IL 61858. Or email her at taylorpam0@aol.com or call 649-1912.
BY MARY WICOFF mwicoff@dancomnews.com
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