Polk County Toys for Tots Program in Full Swing

You may already have seen the boxes set up around the county that seek your donations. Toys for Tots is in full swing and your help is needed.

Ed Anderson, coordinator for Toys for Tots in Polk County has, along with the local Elks Lodge, put much effort into insuring local kids can have a merry Christmas.

Anderson has set up boxes at various locations throughout the county where you can place a new and unopened toy for a child in need.

Last year 551 children in Polk County benefited from the Toys for Tots program. $2,334.07 in cash donations were made and $5,483.59 in toys were purchased.

Sadly, more is needed to meet the growing demand of needy families who may not have the means to provide for their kids during the holiday.

In an interview with The Pulse, Anderson said that previously Toys R Us provided toys to help out, but with that company now out of business those toys are no longer available. That means we, as a community, we need to step up and do what we can to help out.

Along with the KENA/Pulse News Office in Mena, listed below are the locations where you can drop off a new unopened toy.  Please contribute today.

In Mena

Diamond Bank

U-A Rich Mountain

Union Bank

First United Methodist Church

Saint Agnes Catholic Church

Freedom Pharmacy

First Financial Bank

Mena-Oden District Ranger Office

Bumper to Bumper

Arvest Bank

Mena Regional Health

In Cove

Dollar General

In Hatfield

Union Bank

In Wickes

Dollar General

Union Bank

What became Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Marine Major Bill Hendricks, with help from his Los Angeles Marine Corps Reserves unit, collected toys for children in need.

The following year the Marine Corps adopted the Toys for Tots program and expanded it from coast to coast.

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