TRAVERSE CITY — ‘Tis the season for giving, and Toys for Tots is cranking up the efforts to collect toys in Northern Michigan.
Northwest Michigan Toys for Tots is kicking off the season with a week full of collection events. This year, they’re expecting an increase in need and looking to collect more than 20,000 toys to bring a merry Christmas to over 5,000 children.
“We want to assure that every child in Northern Michigan has a Christmas. But more than that, we want to make sure that parents who are going into the season, which is a joyous season, that they don’t see it as a difficult time of year, but they see it as a joyful time of year,” said Mike Kent, assistant coordinator.
Key events include:
- Stuff the Cop Car at A. Papano’s Pizza in Beulah – Wednesday, Dec. 4 – 5 p.m.
- Shop with the Heroes at Traverse City Meijer – Friday, Dec. 6 – 8 a.m.
- Toy Bus at Burger King in front of Meijer (Meijer toy match) – Friday, Dec. 6 – 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Stuff a DNR Truck, Blain’s Farm and Fleet – Saturday, Dec. 7 – 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Northwest ORV Stuff the Buggy, Sam’s Club – Saturday, Dec. 7 – 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Cherryland Ghostbusters Fill the Ectomobile, Five Below – Saturday, Dec. 7 – 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- NMC Jazz Bands Swinging for the Season, Dennos – Saturday, Dec. 7 – 7:30 p.m. (Free admission with a toy donation)
- Fox for Tots, Fox Grand Traverse – All week, campaign runs until Dec. 22. (Will match online cash donations up to $1,000, accepting toy donations at all Traverse City Fox dealerships)
- Spin to Win, Leelanau Sands Casino & Turtle Creek Casino – Monday to Wednesday (incentives given with toy donations)