Last year, Toys for Tots was able to give out 15,584 toys to kids in the two counties. The program started more than seven decades ago and has been the official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve since 1995.
“Every donation goes a long way, even the little ones,” said Gunnery Sgt. Luis Duran. “Everything stays here locally, so we’re helping our neighbors.”
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The Dayton Realtors had a toy and donation drive for the Toys for Tots program on Dec. 4, said director of communications Bob Jones.
The organization has dedicated its annual holiday reception to Toys for Tots for 35 years, Jones said.
“This is a long-standing tradition,” Jones said. “This is a cause that is near and dear to the members’ hearts.”
According to the Marines, the Dayton Realtors is the largest collection and donor drive in the Dayton area.
This year, the Realtors donated over $5,000 and more than 1,000 toys. Last year’s party drew an attendance of over 300 Realtors with more than 1,000 brand new toys and over $4,000 contributed to the Dayton area’s needy children.
The organization has raised over $67,000 and donated many, many toys since it started dedicating the holiday reception to Toys for Tots.
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“The toys are going to go into the hands of children and teenagers who need them,” Jones said. “This event doesn’t mean anything until that child opens the gift.”
Duran said there have been three distribution days so far this year and that between 1,200 and 1,500 families have been helped.
There are two distribution dates this week, one today and one on Saturday.
On Wednesday, families can distribute toys at the Dayton Mall, located at 2700 Miamisburg Centerville Rd. Suite 1268, from 5 to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, toys can be picked up at the Fairgrounds and Event Center of Montgomery County at 580 Calumet Ln. Toys will be distributed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
Duran said since Saturday is the last distribution day they will stay open past 7 p.m., as long as people are waiting in line.
How to donate
Toys can be dropped of Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dayton Mall next to the Spectrum store, 2380 Miamisburg Centerville Road. Presents also can be shipped to 2936 Sherwood Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45433.
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