Each year the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys to be distributed as Christmas presents to children in need. The mission goes beyond just physical gift-giving, it unites communities and spreads the message of hope for struggling families.

The local group that runs this program is the Ridgefield Detachment of the Marine Corps League, which serves 11 towns throughout Fairfield County, including Newtown. It comprises men and women who have served our country, as well as their families - including my father and mother, Dave and Lorrie Silber.

My dad served overseas in the Marine Corps during Operation Desert Storm and continues to serve local communities through his charitable work as Area Coordinator for Toys for Tots in Newtown, along with longtime Area Coordinator Frank Casey.

He and my mother distribute Toys for Tots donation boxes to local businesses and individual residents (who host holiday parties to collect toys) all across Newtown and retrieve the toys at each local drop-off point when the boxes begin to fill up.

They then bring the toys from Newtown to the Ridgefield Marine Corps League where the organization works with town social services departments, churches, charities, and state agencies to ensure the toys are delivered to deserving families by Christmas.

Not only does Toys for Tots rely on the generous donations of toys and monetary contributions from individuals, but it also partners with national corporate sponsors like Toys R Us.

Toys R Us Shopping

I was privileged to have the opportunity to participate in the Ridgefield Marine Corps League's annual Toys for Tots shopping day at Toys R Us in Danbury, on November 19.

The day consisted of the Ridgefield Marine Corps League members and their families, who volunteer their time, selecting items throughout the store to go to the cause. Each member was told to grab a cart and fill it up with toys for infants, children, and teenagers, and when the cart was full to bring it to the checkout line, grab another cart, and repeat - a task that is every impulse shopper's dream.

As I entered the first aisle, my eyes scanned the rows of colorful toys and excitement sparked as I began to feel, well, like a kid in a toy store. Every item I picked up I began to envision the child who would wake up on Christmas morning and enthusiastically unwrap it and be filled with joy.

I filled cart after cart, configuring the toys in the carriage like a Tetris champ to maximize space efficiency (a skill passed down to me from my mother during trips to Costco), until the toys rose higher and higher up over the sides, like the eyes of a curious child peering over the railing on Christmas morning.

Children browsing the aisles in Toys R Us looked to me wide-eyed, mouth agape, astonished by the toy tower I pushed along.

I chose classic toys like Elmo, Barbie, and Legos (with an emphasis on new girl-power themed selections); characters from popular children's shows like Pokémon, Paw Patrol, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; and books that made a difference in my life, like The Giving Tree and Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.

When selecting toys, I also knew that every child does not fit the same mold. Each has his or her own dreams, and I wanted to make sure to find items that reflect all kinds of aspirations or become a source of inspiration for learning about more things.

So into the cart went microscopes and cash registers, along with baby dolls and dolls of every ethnicity.

The bulk of toys donated are designed for young children, with toys for infants and teenagers typically overlooked; so it was important to me to find toys that those ages could enjoy, as well.

After the marathon shopping, the volunteers loaded the bags of toys into my father's trailer and truck bed to be delivered to the Ridgefield Marine Corps League.

Henry Norley of the Ridgefield Marine Corps League said that after Toys R Us discounts, the final total for the Toys for Tots purchases that day was $16,589.

I am so proud of this annual charity drive, my parents, and the dedicated volunteers who positively impact those in need and make this operation happen every year. No matter people's political views or economic situation, Toys for Tots unites all members of a community.

Toys for Tots donations in Newtown will be collected until December 15. The current list of businesses open to the public to drop off toys includes: The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road; Newtown Savings Bank, all offices; Physician One Urgent Care, 266 South Main Street; The Learning Experience, 274 South Main Street; Beef & Barleys Steakhouse, 274 South Main Street; Verizon, 228 South Main Street; Sherwin Williams Paint Store, 255 South Main Street; Game Stop, 228 South Main Street; Newtown Medi Spa, 123 South Main Street; Ricci's Salon, 99 South Main Street; Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 45 South Main Street; Berkshire Hathaway Realty, 84 South Main Street; The Toy Tree, 14 Church Hill Road; Popowich Chiropractic & Acupuncture Care, 71 South Main Street; Eggs and Company, 71 South Main Street; Newtown Hardware, 61 Church Hill Road; and Dodgingtown Market, 57 Dodgingtown Road.

For more information about Toys for Tots and to learn how to apply for assistance, visit toysfortots.org. To have your business or your next holiday party receive a Toys for Tots donation box contact Toys for Tots' Newtown Area Coordinator Dave Silber at 203-470-4277 or e-mail dave4handyman@gmail.com. Toys will be collected until December 15.