TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION AT WILLIAMS’ OFFICES

HARRISBURG, OCT. 27 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced today that both of her district offices would be collection points for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program for 2005.

“The Toys for Tots program is a good opportunity for everyone to do their part to help needy children in our communities,” Williams said. “All toys that are collected in our communities are sorted and distributed by age appropriateness to children in our area, so the toys that are dropped off in either of my offices, will go to children in Montgomery and Delaware counties. What a wonderful way to begin the holiday season – by purchasing a gift for a child who may not have had the chance to open a present on Christmas morning.”

The Toys for Tots program began in 1947 in Los Angeles and expanded nationwide in 1948. Since 1947, more than 332.5 million toys have been collected and distributed to 158.7 million needy children at Christmas.

For the 2005 campaign, the Marines of Willow Grove has set a goal of collecting over 200,000 toys to be distributed to 75,000 children. The 2005 campaign runs through Jan. 30^th, 2006. Toys collected after Dec. 24^th will be used to start the 2006 campaign.

New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at either of Williams’ district offices during normal business hours – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. As the bins fill, the Marines will collect the toys and bring them to a warehouse where they will be sorted and prepared for distribution, using the services of local community and church organizations to identify needy children in the area.

Williams’ offices are located in King of Prussia at 700 S. Henderson Road, Suite 100A and in Havertown in the Manoa Shopping Center, Suite 39, 1305 West Chester Pike.

For more information call Williams’ offices at either 610-992-9790 (King of Prussia) or 610-853-5433 (Havertown).