Let's face it: Your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews have too many toys. Barbies in a box, toy trucks gathering dust and board games that have never been opened since the iPad debuted.
But plenty of kids go through each winter with not enough to eat–let alone enough to play with. That's where Toys for Tots comes in.
The national program, run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, has begun another season of collecting toys for the less fortunate. In Dearborn, that effort is coordinated by Retired Master Sgt. Philip Smith, who has run the Dearborn-Dearborn Heights campaign since 1996.
According to Smith, in addition to collecting toys at various locations throughout Dearborn, the group is hosting several collection events.
The next event will be held Thursday at . From 8-10 p.m., donors can drop off toys–and get something in return. Several Detroit Lions players will be on hand to meet guests and sign autographs. A repeat event will be held on Dec. 12.
Other local events with drops include:
- 's dinner on Thursday from 6-9 p.m.
- Ford Motor Finance offices on Friday beginning at 9 a.m.
- 's Boys and Girls Scouts event and assembly at 2 p.m. on Friday
- The Divine Child Men's Club at at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12
- at 8 p.m. on Dec. 15
- The 's Fairlane Center, located at 19000 Hubbard Drive, at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 16
- The Christmas Party at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16
- The American Legion Post 364, located at 3001 S. Telegraph Road, at 9 p.m. on Dec. 17
Permanent drop-off boxes will also be maintained throughout Dearborn until Dec. 18 at the following locations:
- - City Clerk's office
- Ford Motor Company World Headquarters, 1 American Road
- American Legion Post 364, 3001 S. Telegraph Road
- VFW Post 2107, 1314 Monroe Street
- Ford Rouge Plant, 3001 Miller Road
For more information, visit the Toys for Toys Detroit region website.
