rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
RALSTON — For more than 20 years, the Marine Corps. League on Route 14 has been delivering joy to the Ralston area.
This year, they teamed up with the Ralston Fire Department to host a nice event for the children, but were unable to do the event due to COVID restrictions.
Instead, parents are able to pick up the toys at the building. Those that can’t, Christmas will be brought to them.
A team of local Marine Corps. League members and parents gather to buy the toys, sort them into age and gender groups, and package them to deliver to parents the week before Christmas. They call it “Toys for Children.”
“This year, we are up to about 74 kids,” said an organizer, Connie Hill.
“We had The Marine Corps. League in Gettysburg donate a bunch of toys to us starting back in June,” said Hill. “Most of the toys were bought from Ollie’s in Muncy. “He was so nice. We love going there. This year, he gave us a 15% discount,” said Hamm.
After a trip last week and three vehicles later, the Marine Corps. League dining area was full of toys for boys and girls.
“The cars were filled to the top,” Hill said, laughing.
Hill, Geis and Roupp then spent an afternoon or two sorting the toys by gender and age and began preparing bags to be sent out.
The ages of children in need range from newborn to 12-years-old. The League also sends toys to its members’ children as well.
“Usually after this is done, we get more phone calls from families who need help, so we also help them,” said Hamm.
For that reason, they always pick up more toys.
“We also buy coats and hats in case they may need them.”
“This helps a lot of kids,” said Hill, which is why they do it. “Just to help the parents out, especially a year where parents struggle financially.”
Every year, the Marine Corps. holds a bike run in September to help raise money for this cause. They also hold a weekly Sunday breakfast for donations.
Next year’s bike run is scheduled tentatively for Sept. 18, 2021. For more information or how to donate to this cause, call the Marine Corps. League at (570) 995-9383.