Southeast Minnesota Toys for Tots Drive kicks into high gear

(ABC 6 News) — Santa and his helpers were among the guest at Scheels Thursday for the Toys for Tots toy drive.

We are teaming up once again this year with Toys for Tots and the Marine Corps Reserve for its 75th year to help make sure every child has a gift this Christmas.

Scheels and ABC 6 News will match all donations up to $7,000. Scheels says it has surpassed that already donating more than $12,000 worth of toys for the drive.

“They are bringing that Christmas cheer to those kids that maybe would not have that opportunity and it’s very important to have that this time of the year,” said Scheels spokesperson Sydney Rudquist

The Graham family were among those shopping for toys with the three children each donating a toy. They say they love being able to pick something out because they know how special it is to receive a gift.

“When you’re happy, you want your neighbors and your friends to be happy and it’s a very important thing to always be thinking of others and to be mindful of others and to give back,” Deneene Graham.

ABC 6 News will host a toy drive December 13. Stop by the Rochester studios to drop off an unwrapped gift from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

ABC 6 News anchor Laura Lee was joined by 1st Sgt. Vince Reynolds live Thursday evening from Scheels in Rochester for the big toy collection drive.