Toys for Tots gives big to Flathead Reservation
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MISSION VALLEY — While Christmas is a time for family, friends, gifts and wonderful food, perhaps the most important aspect of the holiday is the tradition of caring for those around you. A perfect example of this philanthropic spirit can be found in the Hellroaring Detachment’s annual Toys for Tots effort.
In 1947, Marine Corps Major Bill Hendricks collected and distributed more than 5,000 toys to children in need throughout the Los Angeles area. His program was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted the cause the following year and expanded it nationwide. Since then, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has collected and distributed more than 418 million toys throughout the United States. An average of 6.3 million children who would otherwise not get a present for Christmas receive an annual gift.
“I like doing it for the kids,” said Lake County Coordinator Mauri Morin. “The paperwork is a drag; all the stuff behind the scenes is a drag; but being involved with the local community, seeing the generosity of the local merchants and seeing the kids enjoy what they get makes it all worth it. That’s what it’s all about — the kids.”
A Marine Corps and Korean War veteran, Morin has been involved with Toys for Tots for about 10 years. He said that this year alone, the organization has supplied more than 1,600 toys and 3,000 books to Share the Spirit — a similar institution based in Polson.
As Share the Spirit opened its doors locally a few years earlier than Toys for Tots, the Marines connected with Share the Spirit to help distribute donated toys.
“I’m absolutely amazed that a community the size of Lake County could be so generous — particularly in these financial and economic times,” Morin said.
Northwest Division aide-de-camp and past detachment commandant for the Hellroaring Detachment, John Miller, said Toys for Tots was run by a Chevy Dealer and Walmart in the first few years. Miller said it has traditionally been a Marine Corps Reserve responsibility, and the Hellroaring Detachment assumed responsibility over the local Toys for Tots effort in 2000.
“We enjoy it, and we’ve done really well here,” he said. “We’ve grown; we’ve taken care of kids; and we’ve supplied their needs throughout Lake County.”
Miller said his favorite memory was several years ago when the group held a Toys for Tots event at the Chevy dealer on Polson Hill. They’d invited Monte up from the University of Montana and had Kerr Radio set up a live broadcast on the lot.
“We just had a blast for three hours,” Miller recalled. “Monte picked on everyone, whether they were in uniform or not.”
Polson’s Super One foods has arranged for cashiers to ask patrons for donations as they check out. Patrons at Glacier Brewing Company, the Lake Bar, the Second Chance Saloon, Willard’s and Super One can purchase a “train car” that goes on a paper train in their storefronts. All profits from these sales support Toys for Tots.
In addition, the organization has more than 30 drop-off points for donated toys throughout Polson, Pablo, Ronan and St. Ignatius. The “Boys in Blue” (Marine Crops Service members in uniform) will be accepting donations in person Dec. 15 at Hanson and Granley True Value in Ronan and Dec. 22 at Cenex-Mountain West Coop in Ronan.
Santa Claus will be at the DHRD building in Pablo courtesy of Toys for Tots from 9 to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 and 9 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11th. Participating children will receive a picture, treat and gift from Santa.
“We’ve got so many kids in this area, and we still don’t touch them all,” Miller said. “We enjoy it, and you can’t beat helping kids.”
