It’s a wrap: Toys for Tots has another great year

With an army of volunteers and support from the community, the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign in Sussex County was a resounding success, as it is every year.

Operating out of donated warehouse space at Sports at the Beach in Georgetown, volunteers distributed more than 300 collection boxes throughout the county and collected nearly 5,000 toys wrapped in nearly 1,000 bags for boys and girls and several organizations.

Parents and organizations reserve toys via the campaign’s website and have started to pick them up at the Georgetown warehouse. One organization, First State Community Action Agency in Georgetown, will come shop for its clients.

Coordinator Kevin Thompson, a Marine Corps veteran, said the annual campaign runs Oct. 1 through Dec. 16, and is part of a national effort.

Thompson said there are so many people and organizations to thank for donations, including residents of Lewes Crossing who donate handmade toys. He said bicycles are always a popular request, and they collected more than 300 this season. Many of those came from Apple Electric Company near Rehoboth Beach, he said.

“We really love these guys,” he said.

In addition, the Delaware Department of Transportation donated 75 children’s helmets to be given away.  “I made that request because I’m always worried about the kids’ safety,” he said.

The national organization has donated dozens of boxes filled with toys to help the campaign.

Thompson said this year they didn’t receive as many donations of baby toys and bikes for 10- to 12-year-olds that they needed. It’s a need they will focus on next season.