Rutherford Weekly

Page 4 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, September 17-September 23, 2020 On October 1 the Marine Corps League will offi cially kick off the 2020 Toys for Tots program. Rutherford County residents will have an opportunity to begin dropping toys in the Toys for Tots boxes that will be placed strategically across the county. Last year 981 children in Rutherford County received six toys each through the Christopher Ebert Marine Corps League in Forest City. Every toy donated to Toys for Tots is given to a Rutherford County child hoping to fi ll a Christmas wish list. There are some changes this year to the donation and application process due to COVID-19 said coordinator Marine Troy Stanley. He was quick to add, "We will make this work. We are going to make this work." Anyone wishing to receive toys for children must apply online beginning October 1, but those without access to a computer have the option to come to the headquarters on West Trade Street in Forest City and sit down with a Marine for assistance. "Our two priorities this year are to keep everybody safe and get kids toys for Christmas," Stanley said. There will be restrictions regarding social distancing inside the headquarters but Stanley said anyone who wants to come to apply for help can call him at 828-447- 8526 and he will schedule an appropriate time. Also on October 1 the annual donation drive will also begin. In the past Marines have stood outside businesses in Rutherford County to receive donations from the public for the toy drive. "We will have tables set up so people can put their donations in boxes," said Sgt. Major Don Barrett, but the number of donation sites could be fewer than in the past due to the pandemic. Stanley said loyal supporters of Toys for Tots have agreed to do all they can to help this year. Dave Hunt, who owns the three McDonald's restaurant franchises in Rutherford County will host the annual Toys for Tots train in each restaurant. For a $1 donation the donor's name will be added to the train that will stretch across areas of the restaurants. Ollie's store in Forest City has indicated a willingness to assist with the toy drive through some discounts. Distribution days will be Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the headquarters. Parents and guardians will remain in their vehicles and drive up to the headquarters door and the toys will be placed in the cars. "We want to keep people out of the building for safety reasons," said Stanley. Since 2013 every toy given through the Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots has remained in Rutherford County and that will be the case this year. "We don't know if everyone will receive six toys," said Stanley, depending on the response. A lot of people are out of work and donations might be lower than in the past, the supply of toys could also be less, but the need could be greater. Stanley and Barrett recommend early shopping. "Don't wait. Go ahead and start," Stanley said. Toys can be brought to the headquarters before October 1 if necessary. Toys for Tots box will be placed at these locations on Oct. 1. BB&T, Plaza Barber Shop, Family Dollar, Home Trust, Chilis, Iron Ink, Patz, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Rutherford County Senior Center, Lifestyles Therapy, Premier Credit, Forest City Honda, Friendship, First Baptist, First Methodist, Meraki, Hopes and Dreams, Big Lots, Burke's Outlet, Florence Baptist, Element, Crestview, Extra Mile Auto, First Methodist, Rutherfordton, Wells Fargo, Cody's Car Wash, Cuttin' Up on Main, The Stylist, Styling Deck, Maxwell Hamrick, Rias, Fringe, Gregorys, TD Bank, Charter Bank, Forest City Merchants, McDonalds, Green Room and others. Behind every toy given is a story. Stanley recalled the day a woman showed up at the headquarters asking for toys for her children. She had just gotten out of jail, had been a drug user and was brutally honest with the Marines. She was troubled that her children wouldn't have any toys. Toys for Tots provided Christmas toys for her children. Marine Gunny Swope talked about one Christmas Eve when a barefooted woman with her barefooted children walked into the former headquarters on Main Street in Forest City seeking help. "I stayed with her children and told her to go in the back room and pick out some toys," Swope said. "She came back with one toy each. I told her it was Christmas and to go back for more toys," Swope said. He was glad he happened to be at the headquarters at the right time. The Marine Corps League said 2020 could be a struggle for many, but they are willing to do everything they can do to collect enough toys for the children of Rutherford County. Last year more than 3,7600 man-hours were donated by the Marine Corps League in the Toys for Tots program. That's a conservative fi gure" said Swope, as he and other Marines have begun the process of making sure Christmas comes to the children of Rutherford County. For questions contact Stanley at 828-447-8526. 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Mayor Don Barrett outside the Christopher Ebert Marine Corps headquarters on Trade Street in Forest City gearing up for the annual Toys for Tots programs.

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