Toys for Tots campaign under way
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As the holiday season draws near, the local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Coordinator, James Anthony "Tony" Keltz, Sr., is gearing up for this year's Toys for Tots campaign. Since 1947, Marines have been making Christmas wishes come true for needy children.
Keltz, the owner of Grandpa Keltz's Country Corner at Rocky Fork Lake, is the coordinator for Adams, Highland, Pike, and Ross Counties. Last year, approximately 2,100 children in the area received toys through the Toys for Tots program.
"This year, we expect the need to be greater," Keltz said.
The local Toys for Tots program depends on the help of concerned citizens and business leaders to make Toys for Tots a success, according to Keltz. Local businesses are asked to assist in a number of areas, including providing toy collections sites; assisting in the transportation and storage of toys; promoting Toys for Tots; underwriting special events; providing products or services suitable for raffling (donate a toy to enter); and assisting with such critical services as printing.
"For the many volunteers who make Toys for Tots possible year after year, Toys for Tots embodies the true spirit of Christmas," Keltz said. "The gift of a shiny new toy something that most children take for granted, means to a needy child that someone cares, that he or she hasn't been forgotten, that Christmas hasn't passed him or her by."
The Marine Corps Reserve believes that "every child deserves a little Christmas," and willing donors are asked to send the needy children of the community "a message of hope this Christmas through the gift of a new toy," according to Keltz.
For more information about the Toys for Tots program, please contact Keltz at (937) 393-8800, (937) 393-8906, or (937) 403-3035, or visit hillsboro-oh.toysfortots.org.