Annual Toys For Tots Christmas toy drive in full swing in Kern River Valley

The Salvation Army and the US Marine Corps Reserve would like to thank everyone who donated toys, money and time in the 2008 Toys For Tots drive. You helped to give a Merry Christmas to over 250 local children.

Again this year, new toys, unwrapped, may be dropped off at any location displaying a Toys For Tots collection box or sign. The deadline for toy donations is Friday, Dec. 4. Local toy distribution will be on Dec. 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Community Christian Services Center located at 6105 Lake Isabella Blvd. If this distribution time is missed, toys may be received at the Marine Corps Reserve Center, 4201 Chester Ave. in Bakersfield from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the following weekend. Please note: at this time they will receive our left over applications (not toys) if there are any.

To enhance the toy collection drive, the USMC Reserve and the CCSC will have an entry in the annual Lake Isabella Christmas Parade. The Marines will walk down the route collecting the toys you bring to the parade.

To volunteer for the Toys For Tots program or make a monetary donation, please call Yvonne at 760-378-1029 or Pastor Bill at 760-379-5100 or stop by the CCSC. Monetary donations must be made to the Salvation Army if you want the proceeds to stay local. Donations to the local Toys For Tots organization cannot be made yet.