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Area families in need this Christmas have a way to make the holidays a little brighter for their youngsters, as the Hiawatha Valley Marines Toys For Tots campaign is kicking off with gusto.
Volunteers from the Hiawatha Valley Marines, Winona County Sheriff’s Department, Winona Police Department and the Toy Store Committee have been working hard to plan for this year’s campaign, and say now is one of the best times ever to donate new toys or money to a program that helps area families have a happy Christmas, even when money is tight. Barrels for toy donations are now in place at about 30 locations throughout Winona County, giving folks who are doing their own holiday shopping the chance to brighten up the lives of hundreds of area families. Last year, Toys For Tots helped 370 families in the Winona County area. This year, organizers hope to reach out to even more.
Toys will be distributed on December 12, when families who need presents for their children can visit the Winona Mall for a chance to shop. Organizers have developed a system in which new rounds of toys are added throughout the event, so each group of tot shoppers can expect to find a nice selection to choose from. People can stop in between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., when they’ll be given a number and approximate time when they can shop. All organizers ask is for the name of the child or children and what school they attend. Toys are available for kids aged 0-13, with a bit of leeway for older children.
Folks looking to give can stop by one of the many barrels to drop off new toy gifts for local kids, or, monetary donations can be sent to Hiawatha Valley Marines Treasurer Greg Kuehntopp, 6305 West Fifth Street, Goodview, MN, 55987.
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