toys to noble Christmas effort

From Staff Reports

Dec. 25, 2000 10 PM

Christmas has come and gone, but thanks to the charity of others, some less-fortunate children had a delightful day with presents under the tree.

During the holiday season many organizations spend valuable time and money collecting toys for children whose parents can’t afford them. The United States Marines is one of them.

Each year the USMC sponsors "Toys for Tots" to allow underprivileged children to experience the same kind of Christmas others do.

Locally, Sherri Senn, an USMC Reservist, has spent her time raising money for the "Toys for Tots" program.

"Each year I try to get involved with some king of charity," Senn said. "In the past I have worked with Toys for Tots in the Montgomery area, but this year I wanted to do it at home. I wanted to help children who are not getting a Christmas."

Senn’s endeavors were successful. With the assistance of Wal-Mart, Edge Regional Medical Center, Troy Cable and WTBF Radio and other individuals, organizations, and businesses more than 200 toys were raised for "Toys for Tots."

Local churches identified where there was a need, and those children received toys from the program. Eight different families were identified. Remaining toys from the "Toys for Tots" program were donated to the Salvation Army. Those toys were then given to children who were not getting assistance elsewhere.

Senn said she hopes the success of "Toys for Tots" in this area will encourage people to participate in the future.

"We want to continue the program," she said. "We want it to become an annual event."

AT&T Broadband also contributed to the effort to get toys to children this Christmas season, donating two months of free service and free installation to all new customers who turned in a toy with their activation.

"The effort raised more than $1,000 in toys," said a company representative. "We are thrilled to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile project and we appreciate our customers who participated."