Toys for Tots to deliver toys to 20,000 children

Businesses join forces with Marines

Sunday, December 20, 2009

— Marine Corps leagues in Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith area expect to deliver more than 20,000 toys to children through the Toys for Tots program, which technically ended Saturday.

“If we had the logistics, I’d do it all the way to Christmas day,” said James Bolin, Northwest Arkansas coordinator.

Bolin said the push to fill a portable storage unit outside Arvest Stadium in Springdale was the group’s last collection of the year. He said the final drive brought in about 2,400 toys last year, which helped the program provide toys to 10,000 children.

Marines have been collecting toys for children since Toys for Tots was founded in 1947, by the late Col. William L. Hendricks of the Marine Reserves. The program is carried out by the Marine Reserves and Marine Corps League detachments, which are made up of retired Marines.

Bolin said he’s been coordinating the program for four years. The last three have been with the help of Clear Channel Communications, which provides advertising and appearances by on-air personalities.

Duce Foreman, director of promotions for Clear Channel, owner of Fayetteville station KIX-FM 104, said the company had been doing its own toy drive for years before deciding to team up with Toys for Tots. Stations start running announcements in November encouraging people to donate toys, he said.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, based at Arvest Ballpark, started helping collect toys two years ago, said Justin Cole, the team’s assistant general manger.

The minor league baseball team hopes to encourage donations by having the event while its gift shop is open, Cole said. The team will donate extra items or unclaimed prizes to Toys for Tots, he added.

Foreman was joined by fellow personality Allen Woody from the Big Kix Morning show, who greeted people donating gifts and broadcast live from the event.

Woody and Foreman also took turns getting their pictures taken with two active-duty Marines serving on recruiter duty.

Pvt. David Reed of Tontitown and Lance Cpl. Kyle Sullivan of Fayetteville collected toys and endured the adoration of their mothers, who each brought a donation.

Carolyn Reed, David Reed’s mother, also brought a camera and took pictures of everyone on hand to include in a scrapbook she said she is making for her son. Barking commands to get closer, Carolyn Reed brushed off the comment that she should have been a Marine, saying she’s got that beat.

“I’m a Marine Corps mom,” Carolyn Reed said.

Lori Sullivan also beamed at seeing her son in uniform.

Sullivan worried when her son first talked about joining the service after college, but she said it’s been good for him, although she’s especially glad to have him home for Christmas.

Beyond the baseball team and radio personalities, Toys for Tots is getting a little help from a local child, Bolin said.

Rachel Lopez, 9, is celebrating her birthday today at Roller City skating rink in Springdale and is asking for donations rather than presents, Bolin said.

“She’s my hero this year,” Bolin said. “If I had a poster, she’d be on it.”

Rachel was on several morning radio shows this past week announcing her party, though Woody said she was more worried about getting to school on time than talking on the air.

Roller City owner Stephen Lightfoot said he promised free admission and a drink to anyone who brings a toy between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Rachel’s grandfather is supplying cupcakes. Lightfoot said he stands by his offer, though he made it before Rachel went on the radio.

Saturday was the last day to apply for toys in the Fort Smith area, said Richard Rivera, who coordinates the program there.

Rivera said the River Valley Detachment of the Marine Corps Legion has already helped more than 400 families and had signed up another 150 or so as of Saturday afternoon. If there aren’t enough toys donated, Rivera said the legion will buy more. If funds run out, he said, they’ll “pray for more.”

Rivera said anyone interested in donating money tobuy toys can do so online by visiting toysfortots.org. This year has seen requests outpace donations, he said, but one way or another those children will have toys.

“Marines do not fail when they have a mission to accomplish, and we don’t plan on starting now,” Rivera said.

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Northwest Arkansas, Pages 19 on 12/20/2009