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Hartselle Enquirer

MCEA’s Toys for Tots campaign kicks off

From left, Priceville Elementary teacher Gail Day, Staff Sgt. Gene Stone and MCEA President Della Carmon show off the Toys for Tots posters and boxes that will be advertising the MCEA's upcoming annual Toys for Tots drive. | Joy Haynes
From left, Priceville Elementary teacher Gail Day, Staff Sgt. Gene Stone and MCEA President Della Carmon show off the Toys for Tots posters and boxes that will be advertising the MCEA’s upcoming annual Toys for Tots drive. | Joy Haynes

The Morgan County Education Association kicked off their annual Toys for Tots campaign Thur., Oct. 9 at a meeting at Priceville High School.

Marine Staff Sgt. Gene Stone of the Toys for Tots drive in Huntsville delivered boxes and signs to the group. He thanked the MCEA for their continued support and reassured them of their efforts.

“Each time I get the call that an organization like this is willing to sponsor a toy drive, a weight is lifted off my shoulders,” Stone said. “Your help means we will be able to give Christmas to more kids who wouldn’t have one this year. I want you to know that you have picked the most efficient charity in the United States because 97 percent of the money we bring in goes straight to the kids. Only 3 percent of the money goes to overhead expenses like fuel for the donated vehicles. None of it goes to salaries. We handed out over 30,000 toys to 6,000 kids last year in North Alabama.”

The MCEA has been doing the drive for nearly a decade.

“We started the Toys for Tots drive the first year I was president of MCEA,” said current MCEA president and Lacey’s Spring teacher Della Carmon. “That was probably eight years ago. We feel Toys for Tots is a good fit for Morgan County because we know we are benefitting local kids and families.”

Two boxes will be set up at each of the 17 schools in the county for donations of new toys until Dec. 11. A donation box will also be at the central office.

In past years, the MCEA has had tremendous support for the toy drive, according to Carmon.

“Our first year we had over 700 toys, and two years ago we had over 2000,” Carmon said. “Last year had less toys than normal, but we were able to add a $500 donation to the toys we had. We have been able to support the Bikes or Bust drive as well with over 20 refurbished bikes for kids. We have also had volunteers from Danville help out a the Toys for Tots warehouse in Madison.”

Carmon said the MCEA hopes to do even more this year.

“We wanted to start earlier this year, but we had to wait until our meeting time,” Carmon said. “Hopefully we can start earlier in the future. We also want to help register kids to receive toys.”

Toys for Tots only accepts new unopened unwrapped toys for ages 0-12. Any non-toy donations are given to the Salvation Army.

Duracell donates adequate batteries for battery-operated toys. Toys for Tots also accommodates for “exceptional” or special needs family members with appropriate gifts.

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