Toys for Tots needs you — now

The Pappy Boyington Detachment of the Marine Corps League is in dire need of help for our Toys for Tots Program.

Oct. 1 was the 73rd National Marine Toys for Tots Campaign. It is the 24th year for Pappy Boyington Det 966. We distributed toys to 701 families, 1,555 kids. Distributed 4,665 toys, 7,775 books, 978 stocking stuffers. Purchased 1,294 toys and collected 3,733 toys from collection boxes around Kootenai County.

Donations of funds and toys are needed now. The donations have not been coming in the last few years; this year is much worse due to the COVID thing and henceforth our funds and toy inventory have been depleted.

Since 1947, the T4Ts program has distributed 566 million toys and 258 million children have been supported. On a national level, 96.7% of every dollar donated goes to the program, 2.8% goes to fundraising and 0.5% to overhead.

On a local level I believe our costs are even lower. Not one dollar goes to salaries or any other manpower cost. The members of the Marine Corps League and volunteers donate their money and time and labor, long hours, to provide toys and other gifts to needy children in Kootenai County.

In 1990 my family and I were fortunate to move to this city. Being in the military, we have lived many places, both overseas and in the U.S. We have found this area to be the most caring and giving community anywhere!

I have watched with amazement businesses and families reach out and contribute to “Press Christmas for All” and many other worthy venues. The Pappy Boyington Marine Corps League is hoping to reach out and touch the heart and purses of the same people.

Help us this year to provide a magical Christmas for the children of Kootenai County. Donations may be sent to Marine Corps League 966, Box 261, Hayden, Idaho 83835. Questions may be directed to Darrel Mayer, 208-661-1005 or Mike Quinn, 801-808-0343 and Ron Barnett, 818-515-6164.

Ben Rutherford is from Pappy Boyington Detachment 966, Hayden.