Toys for Tots kicks off drive

By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle Fire Chief Rickey Joe Smith expects another great turnout from Hartselle residents and merchants this holiday season as the city's fourth annual Toys for Tots campaign gets under way.
"Last year was the best year we've ever had," Smith said. "It was great and I hope this year is as good or better. The need doesn't get any smaller each year."
From now until Dec. 18, Smith said new, unwrapped toys can be dropped at Fire Station 1 on Main Street or at Station 2 at the intersection of Crestline and Main Street West. Donation boxes will also be located at Hartselle Wal-Mart Supercenter at the east side entrance and at Wal-Mart locations in Decatur, Cullman, Moulton, Athens, Madison, Huntsville, Scottsboro, Guntersville, Arab and Boaz.
"Hartselle Wal-Mart is excited about being a Toys for Tots drop site," Manager Angie Bray said. "It's always nice to do something that helps children."
"We do certainly appreciate Wal-Mart's participation in this worthy event," Smith said. "While buying gifts at Wal-Mart, be sure to pick up something extra and drop it in the box. There are many kids who will surely appreciate it this Christmas."
Toys for Tots, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps, will distribute the toys to needy children across 11 Alabama counties this Christmas.
Morgan County Toys for Tots Coordinator Jerry Turner said the main distribution center in Huntsville was able to provide Christmas for more than 7,200 children last year.
"And we're expecting more children to qualify this year," Turner said.
The Marines' chief community relations event, Toys for Tots, has collected and distributed more than 298 million toys to 145 million needy children. Some 8 million toys are distributed to more than 4 million children annually.