November 19, 2020 at 2:51 p.m.
The season of giving: Toys For Tots collects gifts for area youth in need
The season of giving: Toys For Tots collects gifts for area youth in need
By Stephanie Kuski-
Robert Klitzka is the 2020 Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots coordinator for Oneida and Vilas counties. He is spearheading the cause.
Klitzka, a retired U.S. Marine and member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 353, said Toys For Tots is a nationwide program originally established in 1947 by the Marine Corps Reserve.
In 1991, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) organization assembled by the Marine Corps to support the Toys For Tots program.
The foundation raises funds, purchases toys and provides boxes for local coordinators like Klitzka to collect toys benefitting area youth. According to their website, the Marine Toys For Tots program annually distributes an average of 18 million toys to approximately 7 million less fortunate children across the country.
Klitzka noted that oftentimes local Salvation Army chapters and social services are involved with the local distribution process to help target populations in need of support.
"This program is designed to make a child have a good Christmas," Klitzka explained. "During my time as a Marine, I helped some of the Toys For Tots programs and I have seen that it's a program designed for people who need - for whatever reason - toys for their children for Christmas."
He added that all toy and monetary contributions donated through Toys For Tots in Oneida and Vilas counties will be distributed to area youth within those two counties.
Boxes for collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ranging from infants to approximately 14 years old are now available at nearly 30 local businesses from Rhinelander to Conover.
Locally, some of those businesses include CT's Deli, Kids Korner Pizza, Mel's Trading Post, Tom's Drawing Board, Rhinelander Brewing Co., Tractor Supply, Papillons, Rhinelander GM and Rhinelander Toyota, among many others.
Some businesses will even be offering incentives for patrons who donate toys to the cause. For example, marketing coordinator Miranda Gavrilescu noted that Rhinelander GM and Rhinelander Toyota is offering 10% off the next service order to patrons who donate a new, unwrapped toy in support of their "Fill Our Truck" campaign benefitting Toys For Tots.
"One of our values is to be good community citizens, and we firmly believe in supporting our community," Gavrilescu commented. "2020 has been stressful for everyone, so we want to help Marine Toys For Tots reach as many families as possible who may need the extra support this holiday season."
A full list of local toy drop sites can be found on toysfortots.org by searching for Oneida or Vilas counties.
"It was such a godsend that people stepped up," Klitzka said of those businesses hosting local drop sites. "I'm really amazed by the people; their hearts are touched by this program."
A donation form for monetary contributions can also be found on the Toys For Tots website, in addition to a submission form for families requesting gifts.
Although there are no income eligibility requirements to qualify for receiving gifts, Klitzka noted the toys are meant for area children and families in need.
Monetary and toy donations will be collected through Dec. 22. All toys and funds that are not distributed to youth this year will be carried over to next year's program.
Toys will be distributed to area youth closer to the holidays, and that information will be provided to individuals receiving gifts. Toys will be unwrapped when families pick them up, and Klitzka will provide a wrapping station for families to wrap those gifts if they choose.
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, toys will be quarantined for 48-96 hours before they're sorted for distribution, Klitzka said.
He also asks those picking up toys to wear a mask and adhere to proper social distancing.
With many out of work or experiencing sporadic income throughout the pandemic, Klitzka noted this year's gift giving campaign comes at an even more important time to support families who may not be able to provide Christmas gifts for their children.
For more information about the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program, contact Klitzka at (715) 600-3421 or visit toysfortots.org.
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