The Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign has begun in Simpson County.
The campaign started in October and will last until December 3. Sign up dates are from October 1 until December 3. The Simpson County distribution date will be December 8 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Mendenhall located at 1122 Park Street.
Last year Toys for Tots was able to provide gifts to over 400 children. Parents were able to pick up age-appropriate gifts safely. Deonka Mazie, Toys for Tots local area coordinator, said, “The process is organized chaos at first, but it’s all worth it to see the children smile.”
Toys for Tots is a national program which is sponsored by the US marine Corp. The mission of the program is to collect new, unwrapped toys. The collection usually begins during the month of October and lasts through December. These toys are then distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in communities who conduct a campaign. The objective of Toys for Tots, in addition to helping the less fortunate experience the joy of Christmas, is to play an active role in the development of the nation’s most valuable resources, and to unite all members of local communities in a common cause.
Mazie explained that over 21,000 children in Mississippi come from families who are considered low income or receive some form of aid. She said, “We reach out to them and make sure that they have something for Christmas. More importantly, so they know that Christmas is not about receiving a gift, but about being a gift.”
Mazie serves as the coordinator for Copiah, Simpson, Lincoln, Lawrence, and Yazoo counties, and the program is sponsored by the Youth of Change Ministries. Mazie said community support is imperative to the success of the Toys for Tots campaign. She said, “It is very much needed. We need to have the support of local organizations to help supply the needs and inform us of the needs of the public.”
A successful campaign takes a lot of effort. Mazie explained that children are able to sign up through their local schools and daycares. She said the only required information is a name, address, phone number and email. Parents are able to register online at https://Hazlehurst-ms.toysfortots.ms.org
Mazie affirmed that all the gifts received are new and inspected for safety. This campaign serves mostly younger children, but gifts are provided for children up to seventeen.
On distribution day parents must pick up toys and wear mask. Children will not be required to attend and there are no income restrictions. Everyone must be registered and have a control number.
For more information contact Latasha Millis 601-847-1212, Gloria Smith 601-466-1023, or Deonka Boozier Mazie at 601-863-9763. They can also be reached by email at hazlehurt.ms@toysfortots.org. If you are having trouble accessing the website, contact the above representatives and an application can be filled out over the phone.
Individuals interested in donating gifts will have several locations available for drop offs. Only new unopened gifts will be accepted. Drop off locations for Magee include Cricket Wireless, Liberty Tax, and Magee Elementary. Drop off locations for Mendenhall include Mendenhall Police Department, Mendenhall Fire Department, Mendenhall City Hall, McGuffee’s Drugs, and the Mendenhall Chamber Office.
