By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post

With nearly 15 million American children living at or below the poverty line, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation wants to provide brand new gifts for less fortunate children.

Commandant Bob Munsch and members of the Edwin A. Schumacher Marine Corps League of Hays will be at Walgreens on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday collecting toys and monetary donations for the less fortunate. Munsch said those who need the toys should register online.

“People can register for toys on the Toys for Tots website,” said Munsch. “Anybody can get on and register for a toy, find their local Toys for Tots distribution location and go pick them up.”

The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to provide a sign of hope for economically disadvantaged children during the holiday seasons and, according to Munsch, sometimes the sign of hope and gratitude is tangible.

“A few years ago, a man came to our distribution just after losing his job. He was very emotional and thanked us for doing that,” he said. “I really encourage people to examine their conscience and give from the heart.”

Munsch and other members of the league will be at the Hays Walgreens, 27th and Vine, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Toy donations are encouraged to be new toys.

For more information, visit the Toys for Tots website: www.toysfortots.org.