Toys for Tots nearing crunch time for donations

Monetary donations for the Toys for Tots drive are being accepted in addition to toys.
Toys for Tots coordinator Bill Goessl said the Marine Corps League St. Mary Detachment provided 5,216 toys to 1,486 needy children within the parish in 2012.
Goessl expects roughly the same number of children needing assistance this year, with 500 to 600 applications coming from the east end of the parish, 600 to 700 on the west end and another 100 or so from the Pierre Part/Belle River area.
With Christmas falling on a Wednesday, Goessl said the organization felt holding their toy distribution on the Saturday before Christmas was just cutting it too close for the families they serve, so they moved up distribution to Dec. 14, shortening their time for collections in the process.
“We’re sitting really good on the toys from 4 to 8 year olds, but we always run short for 9- to 12-year-olds and babies,” Goessl said.
Donations always start off slowly as people take care of their own families before they make donations, he said.
Applications will continue to be accepted at St. Mary Outreach, 501 First St., Morgan City through Friday at noon. Additionally, the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce’s office in Franklin is accepting applications.
Distribution of toys for applicants will be Dec. 14 at the VFW hall in Morgan City and chamber office in Franklin, depending on where applicants registered, Goessl said.
The Marines will hold their annual fundraising concert to bring Christmas gifts to underprivileged children in the area at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
Goessl said the Christmas-themed concert, performed by the Marine Corps band of New Orleans, is free to the public, but each person is asked to bring an unwrapped toy or to make a financial donation.
The concert is the primary fundraiser of the St. Mary Detachment 600 of the Marine Corps League to bring gifts to children through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program that began in 1948. Goessl said the local detachment began in 1984 and immediately became a part of the program.
“We try to give each child three gifts; a $30 gift, a $15 gift and a stocking stuffer,” Goessl said.
If bicycles are donated, and there have been few bicycle donations this year, a child may be given the option of the bicycle or the three gifts.
The detachment held its annual Toys for Tots Poker Run Oct. 19 but weather hampered the event reaching its expectations. Goessl is hoping next week’s concert will pick up the slack.
Monetary donations can be mailed to Marine Corps League, P.O. Box 1383, Morgan City, LA 70381. No contribution is too small.
Contact Goessl at 985-384-3446 for more information on the local or national program.
Toys for Tots toy drop-off box locations
Patterson:
—Dollar General, 500 Main St.
—Fred’s, 500 Hwy. 90 W.
—Patterson State Bank, 1130 Hwy 90 W.
—Patterson Healthcare, 910 Lia St.
—Frank’s Agency, 1123 Main St.
—Patterson High School, 2525 Hwy. 182 W.
Bayou Vista:
—Walmart No. 540, 973 Hwy. 90 E.
—Dollar General No. 759, 175 Arlington St.
—Anytime Fitness, 1201 Hwy. 90 E.
—Teche Federal Bank, 206 Arlington St.
—M C Bank, 530 Southeast Blvd.
—John Cart State Farm, 403 Southeast Blvd.
Berwick:
—A.J. Dohmann, 800 Robinson Dr.
—Dollar General, 4790 Hwy. 182.
Morgan City:
—M C Bank, 1201 Brashear Ave.
—M C Bank, 6413 Hwy 182 E.
—SCLTC, Young Memorial Campus, 900 Youngs Rd.
—Walgreens No. 10975, 815 Brashear Ave.
—CVS, 6502 Hwy. 182.
—MidSouth Bank, 1015 Brashear Ave.
—Patterson State Bank, 801 Victor II Blvd.
—Teche Federal Bank, 1001 Seventh St.
—Dollar General No. 1974, 818 Brashear Ave.
—Family Dollar No. 1124, 900 Seventh St.
—Morgan City Health Care Center, 740 Justa St.
—Masion Jardin, 516 Roderick St.
—Oceaneering International, 5004 Railroad Ave.
—SpringLeaf Financial, 1314 Victor II Blvd.
—Ferris A-1 Glass Shop, 2047 Railroad Ave.
—Elite Graphics, 1316 Victor II Blvd.
—Quality Cleaners, 1013 8th St.
—Anytime Fitness, 6417 Hwy. 182 E.
—Gulfland Office Supplies, 801 Brashear Ave.
—Region’s Bank, 1200 Brashear Ave.
—Morgan City High School, 2400 Tiger Drive.
—Morgan City Junior High, 911 Marguerite St.
—Intermoor International, Youngs Road.
—Superior Rent to Own, 904 7th St.
—U.S Coast Guard, 800 David Dr.
Amelia:
—M C Bank, 10517 Hwy. 182 E. Frontage Road.
—Family Dollar No. 4860, 10501 Hwy. 182 E.
—Dollar General No. 10738, 10217 Hwy. 182 E.