LAPLACE — As the holiday season draws near, be sure that the local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Coordinator is gearing up for this year’s campaign. Since 1947, Marines have been making Christmas wishes some true for needy children. Toys for Tots makes a difference in the lives of less fortunate children in the community. Last year, approximately 12,000 children in the parishes of St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and Plaquemines received toys through the USMC Toys for Tots campaign. This year, needs are expected to be even greater than last year, and the Marines can use the help of both concerned citizens and business leaders to meet those needs.

Local businesses and residents can help supply assistance in a number of ways. They can provide sites for collection and storage of toys. Help is also needed with critical services for such a major undertaking, like media/print services and transportation of the toys. Additionally, providing products or services for raffling as well as donations of toys, food, time and/or money can be a tremendous help to the campaign.

The gift of a shiny new toy is something that most children take for granted, but for needy children, this is not the case. The Marines say, “Every Child Deserves a Little Christmas.” Help these children feel that they haven’t been forgotten or that Christmas hasn’t once more passed them by.

St. John the Baptist Parish coordinator Alfreda DeVare of the Marine Corps Reserve can be reached at 985-287-2161 for more information about this year’s Toys for Tots campaign and how you can help.