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Marine Toys for Tots kicks off season

Local volunteers collect and distribute more than 10,000 toys each year
Toys for Tots volunteers Bryan Jaicks, left, and Mike Flinn load up a box of toys destined for the sorting and distribution warehouse at Sports at the Beach near Georgetown. Hundreds of toys were donated during the campaign’s Nov. 13 kickoff event at American Legion Post 28. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
Ron MacArthur
November 18, 2021

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Hundreds of donation boxes have been distributed at businesses and organizations throughout Sussex County, and now it’s time for local Marine Toys for Tots volunteers to get busy.

Volunteers gathered Nov. 13 at American Legion Post 28 in Long Neck for their annual campaign kickoff event and collected hundreds of toys. This year, all toys will be transported to a warehouse at Sports at the Beach near Georgetown for sorting and distribution. Toys are packed in large plastic bags for families and organizations requesting donations.

The local drive is sponsored by Marine Corps League Diamond State Detachment 704 for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. For more information, go to toysfortots.org. Requests for toys and monetary donations can be made, and toys can be purchased from a virtual toy box on the website. Cash and check donations can be mailed to Coordinator James DeMartino, PO Box 599, Nassau, DE 19969.

In 2020, even during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, volunteers distributed more than 12,700 toys to over 3,700 children.

Volunteers Mike Flinn, left, and Nancy Anderson add donated toys to a box during the Toys for Tots kickoff celebration.
The Marine Toys for Tots campaign started in 1991; the Sussex County campaign traces its roots back to 1998.
Santa Claus, aka Matt Lynch, gets up close and personal with dogs from Tri-State Canine Response Team and Delmarva Search and Rescue Group. In the photo are (l-r) Ruth Osman and Gail Hamman of Tri-State, and Paul Hamman of Search and Rescue.
With the Indian River Volunteer Fire Co. aerial truck in the background, members of the Sussex Amateur Radio Association provide a live demonstration of how they operate.
Santa Claus gets some firsthand information from World War II re-enactor Donald Hattier about a vintage Jeep.
Acoustic singer Joey Fulkerson is just one of the acts providing entertainment during the Toys for Tots kickoff.
Indian River Volunteer Fire Company’s aerial truck and the Sussex County Command Center truck are on display during the Toys for Tots event at Post 28.

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