The U.S. Marine Corps and Toys for Tots made one last collection of toys this weekend.
The collection at MetraPark has become a tradition and one last chance to donate toys.
The final toy drive used to be a 24-hour all night event, but has been shortened to 12 hours.
Marines and the Marine Corps League are scheduled to man the trailer from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Toys for Tots has collected more than 103,000 toys, but it needs teenage gifts.
About 300 volunteers have helped the Marines from the collection to the distribution center at the MetraPark Expo Center.
The Marine Corps League, St. Vincent de Paul, Family Services and Community Hope have also helped.
The Marines say people like donating toys.
“It’s a very generous community,” said Cpl. Ricky Antenor of the U.S. Marine Corps. “A lot of people when they come through here giving away their toys, they’re very happy about it.”
And they get to see some of the kids who receive toys.
“Some families bring their kids with them,” Antenor said. “Obviously, other families like it to be surprise to the kids. but to see the looks on the kids that do come, faces, It’s very satisfying to see that joy from having a lot of toys. It’s really nice. It’s very fulfilling.”
The Marines will distribute the toys starting on Tuesday.
