Dear Editor,
Thanks to the Kingman Marine Corps League, Dean W. Reiter Detachment 887, and its local partners, children in Northern Mohave County who need that little Christmas will be getting some again this year.
The Toys for Tots program is over 75 years old and operated by the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Toys for Tots is a registered 501(c)3. In Northen Mohave County the Dean W. Reiter Detachment #887 of the Marine Corps League has been operating the TFT program for over 16 years and will continue this program again in 2024.
The Mohave North Campaign covers the areas of Kingman, Golden Valley, Yucca, Hwy 93 south to Wikieup, Hwy 93 North to Dolan Springs, Meadview and White Hills and east on old 66 out to Truxton. In 2023 we distributed 3,850 toys to a total of 1,417 children.
The greater Lake Havasu City area is covered by Marine Corps Leage #757 under Mohave South. The River Communities in the greater Bullhead City area is covered by Firefighters Holiday Toy Drive.
Every year there appears to be confusion on who and how to apply for toys. The agency tries to limit the distribution of toys to families in need. The parents of the child or a legal guardian may apply for the toys. No grandparents unless you have legal custody of the child. Ages start at newborn to 15 years. You must register for toys online, at toysfortots.org. You will see a button that says “REQUEST A TOY”. Click this button and follow the instructions and local rules. At this time the toy house location is pending. Registered families will be able to pick-up toys on December 13, 14, 15 (Fri., Sat., Sun), as they do not deliver. They will make notifications by email or text as to the location of the distribution. Please make sure that your phone and email account is up to date.
Toy collection boxes will be going out the first week of November and they will be picking up the boxes on December 12. This gives them time to sort and count the toys prior to distribution. Toys must be new and unwrapped. Please, no food or clothing. If you check around the community you will find several religious organizations or other community groups that collect food and clothing for the holidays.
Terry Flanagan
