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Toys for Tots, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corp. Reserve, has a mission to collect new toys before Christmas to distribute to needy children in the community.
And this year, the mission was a success.
The Morton Toys for Tots program collected about 1,300 toys and about $1,300 in cash donations this year, according to Col. Mike McCarthy, from the Marine Corp. Reserve and Morton resident in charge of the Morton program.
McCarthy said more than 180 families in the Morton area were helped this Christmas season.
“It brings it home to do it in your own town,” McCarthy said. “People everywhere have big hearts.”
McCarthy said all the toys and cash donated in Morton goes back to Morton children.
“The cash goes back to the foundation and is earmarked for our area,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy said the “response in Morton was very exciting. Days near the end I had to go to the boxes several times a day to clear out the toys.”
McCarthy contacted District 709 to get names of needy families in the area, along with a church in East Peoria, We Care and Great Harvest Food Pantry.
“The most important thing is to realize those toys are going to kids who need it,” McCarthy said.
With 12 boxes at several locations around town, McCarthy said he was able to keep track of collections easily.
He said he also worked with the Interact Club from the high school and the Salvation Army to sort and distribute the donated toys.
According to McCarthy, more than 9,000 children received toys, more than 14 organizations participated, more than 46,000 toys were donated and more than $24,000 cash donations were received in the Tri-County Area.
Toys for Tots, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corp. Reserve, has a mission to collect new toys before Christmas to distribute to needy children in the community.
And this year, the mission was a success.
The Morton Toys for Tots program collected about 1,300 toys and about $1,300 in cash donations this year, according to Col. Mike McCarthy, from the Marine Corp. Reserve and Morton resident in charge of the Morton program.
McCarthy said more than 180 families in the Morton area were helped this Christmas season.
“It brings it home to do it in your own town,” McCarthy said. “People everywhere have big hearts.”
McCarthy said all the toys and cash donated in Morton goes back to Morton children.
“The cash goes back to the foundation and is earmarked for our area,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy said the “response in Morton was very exciting. Days near the end I had to go to the boxes several times a day to clear out the toys.”
McCarthy contacted District 709 to get names of needy families in the area, along with a church in East Peoria, We Care and Great Harvest Food Pantry.
“The most important thing is to realize those toys are going to kids who need it,” McCarthy said.
With 12 boxes at several locations around town, McCarthy said he was able to keep track of collections easily.
He said he also worked with the Interact Club from the high school and the Salvation Army to sort and distribute the donated toys.
According to McCarthy, more than 9,000 children received toys, more than 14 organizations participated, more than 46,000 toys were donated and more than $24,000 cash donations were received in the Tri-County Area.
