Community Helper – Marines and their toys

Donations Sought

for Children’s Charity

Left: New toys await new homes Right: A sea of toys demonstrates the generosity of Lake Norman donors. Bottom: Covia volunteers at the ready for toy distribution.

Annual Toys for Tots Campaign is Well Under Way

by Tony Ricciardelli photographs provided by Angels & Sparrows Community Table & Resource Center

As we roll into the holidays, a spirit of altruism takes hold on many fronts. Moods are lighter as people seek to strengthen their bonds with family and friends and give what they can to make life better for others. It’s a humbling time of the year — a time when group gatherings, a shared meal, a child’s smile and yuletide music can melt away the angst and worry of our everyday routines.

One way to provide a memorable holiday for a child is to donate to the annual Marine Corps League’s Toys for Tots campaign. Since 1947, the Marine Corps League has collected more than half a billion toys in its nation-wide efforts to gather and distribute toys for underprivileged children during the holiday season. The 2022 holiday season marks the program’s 75th anniversary.

Locally, Marine Corps League Detachment 1242 partners with local businesses and civic organizations to establish collection points for donated toys. Campaigns began in October and run through Dec. 22.

“It’s a short window in which to gather and distribute the toys, but the reward is great, not only to those involved in the process, but for the children and their parents as well,” says Niall Mulkeen, Master Sergeant, USMC (ret.) and Senior Vice

Commandant for Detachment 1242 serving Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Concord. “We’re especially cognizant of the personal and financial difficulties rendered upon families due to the pandemic, and we encourage people to keep that in mind, to donate, if possible. I’m always amazed by the public’s generosity.”

In 2021, Detachment 1242’s toy drive collected more than 6,000 toys and 250 bicycles.

The Marine Corps League also welcomes cash donations to purchase items for teens and to buy extra toys as needed. Working with the United Service Organizations, a portion of the donations are used to assist junior Marines and their families at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, N.C.

Last year, the annual distribution of toys at Angels & Sparrows Community Table & Resource Center in Huntersville, was funded by Covia, a leading provider of diversified mineral solutions to industrial and recreation markets. Through its Huntersville office, Covia sponsored the event, providing monetary support to buy items for teens, as well as enlisting several employee volunteers to handle the set-up, distribute the toys and manage food and refreshments.

For more information about the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, send an e-mail to info@mcl1242.org or call 704.576.0340.

How Can You Help?

• Donate a toy, your time or service support to your local Toys for Tots campaign • Provide space for collection receptacles at your business • Warehouse space • Transportation support • Media exposure •Make a tax-deductible donation through www.mcl1242.org/take-action

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