VIDEO: Donations in December, Shopping Today, Toys Tomorrow

By Wendy Osher

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBp8D-yD2ig /] Fifty families in Hana are among the list of Toys For Tots recipients this year.   The rural community was added to the list of areas in Maui County served by the annual campaign.

A total of between 8,000 and 10,000 kids on Maui, Molokai and Lanai will benefit from the program in which toys are collected and distributed to families in need, in partnership with the Hawaii chapter of the Salvation Army, and the US Marine Corps. 

Today, Marines picked out toys at the Big Kmart in Kahului, using $12,000 donated by Minit Stop.  The retailer collected donations through the sale of Toy Train gift cards that are on display at the company’s stores on Maui and the Big Island.

2011 Toys for Tots, Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The Salvation Army, which serves as the distribution center for the toy drives, will then take the toys and distribute them to more than a dozen agencies that applied to be Toys For Tots recipients.  The distribution takes place tomorrow, December 20, 2011, throughout Maui County.

The Salvation Army will continue to collect donations through its Red Kettle campaign, with money collected going toward a variety of programs including: shelter and feeding programs, as well as assisting individuals with  utilities and rent. 

2011 Toys for Tots, Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.