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This holiday season marks the 10th consecutive year that Millersville University police are organizing a Toys for Tots drive. Toys for Tots, a not-for-profit charity run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, collects and distributes toys to children in need throughout the country. To date, the organization has distributed 627 million toys and supported 281 million children.
“Toys for Tots is an important organization because it helps the community and those who may need assistance with providing toys for their children during the Christmas season,” says Lieutenant Arthur White, University policeman who organizes the initiative.
White adds that the planning for the drive began in September: “There’s a lot of scheduling involved in where to place the donation boxes.”
The University police will be collecting toys up until Dec. 23. Donated toys should be unwrapped and can simply be placed in any of the donation boxes around campus.
For those interested in donated an unwrapped toy, there are donation boxes located in the following buildings on campus:
- Dilworth Building
- Gordinier Hall
- Lyle Hall
- Palmer Building
- The SMC
The organization recommends that those interested in donating consider what they think would be appropriate for their own child or a young relative, as they do not publish a list of donation ideas. This helps provide a more varied collection to distribute to children. Donations that involve any food products or realistic-looking weapons will not be distributed.
Toys for Tots also accepts volunteers interested in helping to hand out the toys and volunteers who can pick up/drop off toys. For more information, visit the Lancaster County Toys for Tots website.
“It’s a good organization that helps a lot of families,” White concludes. “It helps make a lot of kids happy and enjoy a good holiday.”
