Toys for Tots comes through for local children

The Shawano County Toys For Tots campaign collected 4,329 toys and books in the area for its 2021 campaign. Of those, 3,444 were gathered from the organization’s collection boxes. The Bullpen Bar in Pulcifer raised funds and purchased 596 toys, and Half Price Books donated 289 books, which advanced the organization’s local focus on literacy. In 2021, the Toys for Tots program provided new toys to more than 1,000 children in Shawano County. An additional campaign was launched this year by coordinator Michael Johnston on behalf of the children located in five communities on the Menominee Reservation. This Toys for Tots program was made possible through the relationship with the United States Marine Corps and its Native American program. Because there was no primary source to support a traditional toy program, the program was supported in its entirety by the Marine Corps and their national supporters through the Toys for Tots Foundation. Over 3,230 toys were received and distributed, of which 854 were in-kind donations received from national sponsors. For information about Toys for Tots or to get involved, contact Johnston at 715-280-0991 or shawano.wi@toysfortots.org, or visit http://shawano-wi.toysfortots.org or https://www.facebook.com/ShawanoAreaToysforTots.