The United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has been giving hope to families in need for 77 years. This year, more than 20 Newtown businesses are participating as toy drop-off sites through mid-December.

The charity collects new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages, including teenagers.

“Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender,” the official Toys for Tots website details. “At Christmas, Coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the economically disadvantaged children of the community … While Toys for Tots Coordinators organize, coordinate, and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.”

Members of the Marine Veterans of Fairfield County, based in Ridgefield, are the local coordinators who oversee the distribution of toys to Newtown families and those in surrounding towns.

In many cases, the toys these children receive through the Toys for Tots program are the only gifts they will get during the holidays.

Newtown businesses that are currently participating as public collection sites are:

*Berkshire Hathaway, 107 Church Hill Road;

*Blue Compass RV, 201 South Main Street;

*C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street;

*Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 32 Church Hill Road;

*Cover Two Sports Café, 100 Church Hill Road;

*CVS, 6 Queen Street;

*Eversource, 20 Barnabas Road;

* Fanboy Collectibles, 64 Barnabas Road;

*Giglio Landscape; 71 South Main Street;

*McKenney Mechanical, 15 Commerce Road;

*NewSylum Brewing Company, 36 Keating Farms Avenue;

*Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street;

*Newtown Hardware, 61 Church Hill Road;

*Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street;

*Newtown Police Department, 191 South Main Street;

*Newtown Savings Bank, all locations;

*Newtown Woods, 1211 Brookside Court;

*Popowich Chiropractic, 71 South Main Street;

*Reverie Brewing Company, 57B Church Hill Road;

*The Vein Institute, 33 Church Hill Road;

*Stone Bridge Center for Health & Rehabilitation, 139 Toddy Hill Road; and

*Tractor Supply, 116 South Main Street.

Still Time To Help

There is still time for additional businesses to participate as drop-off sites. Individuals and companies are also invited to host their upcoming holiday parties with collection boxes. Those who are interested can e-mail Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys For Tots Area Coordinator Dave Silber at dave4handyman@gmail.com.

Additionally, Newtown Police Department will be hosting its annual Stuff-A-Truck event to support Toys for Tots on the morning of Saturday, December 14, at TJ Maxx, 228 South Main Street; The Toy Tree, 32 Church Hill Road.

The 2024 toy drive in Newtown will be completed on Monday, December 16, in order to distribute items to local families in need before the holidays.

For those unable to donate a toy in person, people can visit toysfortots.org to make a monetary contribution or select a toy through the charity’s Virtual Toy Box.