Tyler/Smith County Toys For Tots Registration Begins November 1st

The Christmas tunes will be filling the air soon and children all over East Texas will be dreaming about receiving their favorite toy under the Christmas tree and having the best time of their lives. Kids wish for the world when it comes to receiving gifts and in reality, some kids will not receive anything this year because of difficult times or other situations.

The Toys For Tots program is here to bring some joy to kids' life during this special time of the year. However, for kids to receive gifts and toys from the Toys For Tots program, they have got to registered for it early and that registration period is coming up real soon. The Smith County Toys For Tots program will host registration Friday and Saturday, November 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th to be considered to receive gifts from the Toys For Tots program.

Larry Adkins, coordinating officer for Smith County Toys For Tots says,

Since 1947, Toys for Tots has provided toys for hundreds of thousands of under served children. It is the generosity of the local community, however, that makes it a success each year."

Registration will be held at the old Texas Guard Armory at 2520 E. Commerce St. in Tyler Saturday, November 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th from 9a to 4p. Applicants who register children must be the parent or legal guardian of the child and must provide the following information:

• valid picture ID
• proof of Smith County residency
• birth certificates of registering children
• court issued documents showing legal guardianship
• valid mailing address
• phone number

Toys for Tots is the largest outreach program in the Department of Defense and began in 1947 when Maj. Bill Hendricks, a Marine reservist living in California, worked with other Marines to donate toys to children in the local area. Toys for Tots Smith County was initiated by the Rose City Detachment (#1354) of the Marine Corps League in 2007 and has provided toys to over 8,000 children.

The Toys For Tots campaign will begin November 25th, check out toysfortots.org for a list of drop off locations and you can help spread the joy of the season this year with your generous giving.