Toys for Tots Coming to Mansfield Crossing

Santa Claus and McGruff the Crime Dog will be on hand to help the and the U.S. Marine Corps host a Toys for Tots drive at Mansfield Crossing on Saturday, Dec. 3. The “Fill the Wagons” program will be collecting toys for children of families in need from 9 a.m. to 3p.m. There will also be collection boxes on hand for non-perishable food items and toiletries to be sent to the troops in Afghanistan.

The event will be held in the front parking lot near the main road in front of at Mansfield Crossing. Toys for Tots requests that all toys should be new and unwrapped, and suggestions include sweatshirts, hoodies, mittens and hats as well as toys. Troop donations include hand-written letters, paper, pens, envelops, batteries, razors and shave cream, hand wipes, soap, energy and protein bars, nuts, raisins, dried fruits.

“Wages have not kept up with expenses like health care and insurance, so many families need assistance, especially during the holiday season,” said Chairperson of the Drive Paul Connor of the Mansfield Rotary Club. Half of the toys collected donated will be picked-up by the local Marines, and the other half will be delivered to Mansfield’s West Side Benevolent Circle for distribution to local families and their children.