Marines gear up for last Toys for Tots donations

http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=553476

Marines gear up for last Toys for Tots donations

by Brooke Hasch Posted: 12.12.2010
 Brooke Hasch Brooke Hasch is a Weekend News Anchor for KHQA.

QUINCY, ILL. -- Christmas is exactly two weeks away!

That's why the Marine Toys for Tots drive is gearing up for its last rounds of donations.

Friday, the Great River Abate presented close to a hundred gifts and toys to the area's Toys for Tots campaign.

Throughout the year, the abate group has collected donations for the drive...holding it's biggest fundraiser at an annual bon fire.

This year's gifts range from dolls and toy cars to board games and makeup kits.

"Motorcyclists are big kids. And everybody needs something for Christmas and most of us got our own toys, big toys. SO we figure why not help the kids out so they get something for Christmas," said Tom Haggerty, with the Great River Abate in Quincy.

"We have a lot of families who come in and organizations that actually come in crying when they see the toys, the quality of the toys. They're very grateful for everything, and we like to think the public. Because if it wasn't for the public and organizations like the Abate, Toys for Tots would not be a success like it is today," said Candi Maas, the local Toys for Tots coordinator.

Last year, Quincy's Toys for Tots handed out 15-thousand gifts to less fortunate children.