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MOLINE-- Every year, the needs of Quad-Cities area children grow. A U.S. Marine Toys for Tots organizer doesn't expect that to change this year, and is turning to the community -- one he describes as ever supportive -- to help once again.
Toys for Tots will begin taking registrations for children in need Nov. 12. Last year, the non-profit helped collect new, unwrapped toys for 7,896 children ages birth to 12, giving them something to open and enjoy on Christmas day.
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Sean Shepherd said if it wasn't for the community, it wouldn't happen.
"This community is great. It is very patriotic. It is very friendly and very willing to donate," he said.
Staff Sgt. Shepherd has looked over the statistics and said the number of Quad-City families served by Toys for Tots grows by at least 100 a year, and many families have more than one child. This year, he doesn't expect the trend to stop..
"The need has never been greater than right now. The program is only as successful as the people who support it,"he said.
He said companies like Euclid Beverage like to get involved where they work and live. Deere & Co. donated the space for the warehouse for three months -- it is the former John Deere Collectors Center at 17th St. and River Drive. "They did it because they wanted to help,"Staff Sgt. Shepherd said.
i wireless stores are donating a percentage from every phone sold and the Davenport Radisson is donating $10 from every room they rent throughout the season to Toys for Tots.
All told, some 350 businesses and organizations support the effort by being drop-off sites. The Marine Corps. League also gives hours of volunteer time picking up donations and dropping off collection boxes.
Staff Sgt. Shepherd said the thousands of individuals donating new, unwrapped toys and money contribute greatly to the success of the program. All monetary donations are spent on toys at Quad-City area stores.
Donations made online go into a community account and stay in the Quad-Cities. Donations can also be sent to the attention of Toys for Tots, Building 218, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, 61299. Checks should be made out to Toys for Tots.
If you'd like to volunteer, be a collection site, or host a collection event, contact Staff Sgt. Shepherd through the Quad-Cities Toys for Tots Web site, http://quad-cities.toysfortots.org, and he'll return the query with a phone call.
Registration and pick-up
The U.S. Marine Toys for Tots program will be registering children ages 0 to 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of every week from Nov. 12 - Dec. 12, with the exception of Nov. 26 and 27th when the office will be closed.
Register at the former John Deere Collectors Center, 17th Street and River Drive, Moline.
Documentation needed for registration: a picture identification, parents social security number, proof of current address, phone numbers, children's birth certificate and proof of custody if you are a foster parent or guardian.
Children receiving toys must be 0 to 12 years of age.
Distribution of toys will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20. Everyone registered will be given a number. Those with numbers 1-1,500 can only pick up toys Dec. 19. Those with numbers 1,501- 4,000 can only pick up today Dec. 20. Parents are requested to not bring children with them when they pick up the toys.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys -- no clothing -- are being accepted at 350 collection sites throughout the Quad-Cities. Toys that are usually in the most need are for children ages 0 to 12 and 10 to 12.
For more information on donations, events, registration, distribution or a list of collection sites, go to http://quad-cities.toysfortots.org.
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