To the Editor:

The Marine Veterans of Fairfield County's Toys for Tots holiday season has officially kicked off and is collecting new, unwrapped toys for babies, children, and teens. The nonprofit charity helps those in need during the holidays, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, more families are seeking support to provide for their loved ones.

I want to personally thank the businesses in our community who are participating in Toys for Tots this holiday season as a drop-off location: BD Provisions, 125 South Main Street; Berkshire Hathaway, 84 South Main Street, Unit A; C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street; Coldwell Banker, 32 Church Hill Road, Suite 106; Cover Two, 100 Church Hill Road; Giglio’s Landscaping, 71 South Main Street, Unit 12; Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street; Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Road; Newtown Hardware, 61 Church Hill Road; Newtown Savings Bank, all locations; The Newtown Bee office, 5 Church Hill Road; and Verizon, 228 South Main Street.

I would also like to thank the private individuals who have collected donations for the program each year.

Your unwavering support is appreciated by me and the Marine Veterans of Fairfield County who host the program locally. Your generosity is also monumental for the countless families and children who benefit from the program, many of whom would not receive gifts this holiday season without the program’s support.

There is still time for businesses and individuals to make a difference for children in need this holiday season. If your business would like to be a drop-off location, please call/text me directly at 203-470-4277. I am offering contactless drop-off and pick-up of the boxes and promotional materials.

If you are unable to drop off a toy in person, please consider making a monetary contribution or select a toy through the new Virtual Toy Box at www.toysfortots.org.

The Toys for Tots program ends December 15, 2020, to allow for toys to be distributed to the families in need.

I would also like to take a moment to thank our military, first responders, and essential workers for their dedicated service.

Semper Fi,

Dave Silber, US Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Area Coordinator

5 Crown View Drive, Sandy Hook November 23, 2020