‘Toys for Tots’ to bring Christmas cheer to area children

Area residents can help bring a little joy to less fortunate children in St. Mary Parish this Christmas.

The Marine Corps League, St. Mary Detachment is collecting toys for its annual Toys for Tots program, which provides toys to children of families in need.

Toys for Tots Coordinator Bill Goessl said organizers will collect toys through Christmas. There will be about 40 Toys for Tots boxes at businesses and schools throughout St. Mary Parish where people can donate a new, unwrapped toy.

The St. Mary Detachment holds various fundraisers throughout the year to supplement the Toys for Tots program.

Volunteers have collected a good supply of toys for children who are 5 years old and younger. But they are short on toys for children ages 7 years old to 12 years old, Goessl said.

The Toys for Tots program normally has a more difficult time getting toys for older children, but they have had an even harder time this year, he said.

People wanting to make monetary donations to Toys for Tots may do so by making checks or money orders payable to Toys for Tots and mailing them to P.O. Box 1383, Morgan City, LA 70381.

All donations sent to that P.O. Box will stay in the area to help local children.

In 2016, organizers collected 4,896 toys to give to 1,098 needy children in St. Mary Parish and lower St. Martin Parish.

Toys will be distributed from 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 16 at three locations in the parish, including VFW Post 4222, located at 1504 Sandra St. in Morgan City; the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce Office, located at 600 Main St. in Franklin; and the West St. Mary Civic Center, located at 1472 La. 318 in the Four Corners-Sorrel area.

In certain cases, some toys may be distributed after the distribution date, but anyone wanting to receive toys should plan to pick them up Dec. 16 at the designated locations and hours, Goessl said.

Applications to receive toys must be filled out by Dec. 4. Applications can be picked up at St. Mary Outreach, located at 608 First St., Suite 102 in Morgan City, at the chamber of commerce office in Franklin, and at the West St. Mary Civic Center.

Also in connection with the Toys for Tots program, the Marine Corps Band New Orleans Toys for Tots Christmas Concert will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Admission is free, but a new, unwrapped toy is appreciated.