Minit Stop stores help keiki in need with toys for Christmas

Posted by Wendy Osher

Minit Stop Hawaii is again spearheading efforts for the annual Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots drive.  All 17 Minit Stop locations on Maui and the Big Island are collecting toys to donate to underprivileged local children.

(Video from 2009 Toys for Tots campaign)
[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hca6rJ-0Uq4 /]

Toys for Tots shopping mission from last year at K-Mart. Photo by Wendy Osher.

“This is Minit Stop’s ninth year of supporting the Toys for Tots drive,” said Kim Robello, Minit Stop Marketing Manager. “It’s such a great feeling to watch those kids’ faces light up when they see the gifts.  We’re honored and happy to be a part of this every year.”

From now thru this Friday, December 17, 2010, new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any of the Minit Stop stores.  Monetary donations are also being accepted.  For a donation of $1.00 or more, customers can write their name on a Toy Train gift card that is displayed in the store.

Last year, the company collected over 800 toys and donated $13,662 from the sale of Toy Train gift cards. The goal for this year is one toy and one dollar more than last year.

“If we collect at least one more toy or add $1 more dollar to our contributions every year, it becomes a realistic goal and our employees really get behind it,” said Robello.

Over the past nine years, Minit Stop’s Maui and Big Island customers, vendors and employees have donated over $50,000 and countless toys for Toys for Tots.

Toys are distributed, in partnership with the Hawaii chapter of Salvation Army and the U.S. Marine Corp, to children in need on Molokai, Lanai, Maui and the Big Island.

*** If you enjoyed this story, you may also like our post on the upcoming Hyundai Tournament of Champions taking place Jan. 2-9 on Maui.