Community-wide Toys for Tots drives
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(ABC 6 News) – The spirit of giving has become infectious in the Med City community, with many local organizations holding Toys for Tots drives on Saturday.
Over at the American Legion’s Post 92, the toy drive ran from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and everyone that brought an unwrapped toy was treated to a free breakfast.
“The American Legion is all about giving back to the community. It’s serving families and veterans around the community,” explained Commander Ben Schellhammer. “We are all about giving back to everyone, whether it be veterans, children, you name it we’ll donate to it. This is a great opportunity for everyone to come down and help the Legion donate to the Toys for Tots drive.”
The American Legion has been doing a toy drive for several years, but after a break due to COVID-19, members say they are excited to bring it back.
“I want to give back to children. I have a child myself and it brings me joy to see a smile on a child’s face come Christmas time,” added Schellhammer.
The spirit of giving has become infectious in the Med City community, with many local organizations holding Toys for Tots drives on Saturday.
Audrey Smith was one of the many toy donators at the Legions breakfast. She says it is important to give back to the kids who need it most.
“I just feel that every kid, every teenager actually, needs something to open at Christmas,” Smith explained. “Most of us have everything we need, where there are a lot that don’t.”
Just down the road, Rochester Motor Cars held a toy drive of their own.
“Toys for Tots helps so many children around Rochester, and the surrounding areas, and it’s just something that we just treasure so much here within our community here at Rochester Motor Cars,” said Malea Lohmeyer, marketing manager for Rochester Motor Cars. “Just making sure that kids can wake up on Christmas morning with toys and so it’s just a very fulfilling experience overall for all of us.”
Toys are accepted through Dec. 21 and at the end of collections, Rochester Motor Cars will match up to $5,000 in toy donations.
ABC 6 News in teaming up once again with Toys for Tots and the Marine Corps Reserve to make sure everyone child has a gift Christmas day.
On Tues. Dec. 13, you can stop by to drop off a toy at our station here in Rochester from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.