LEXINGTON, Ky. — Nearly 75 years worth of charity and tradition are recognized through Lexington’s Toys for Tots Christmas drive, the Marine Corps annual holiday program.
This year, they’re asking for help to fill a donation shortage.
Central Kentucky’s marines and families are determined to bring joy and toys to the youth in need for the holidays.
Christina Campbell is one marine helping collect bicycles, blankets, books and lots of toys like dolls, Nerf guns, basketballs, and much more.
“We count them and we sort them for each group and then we can add more boxes as needed, and fortunately we have enough right now to make quite a few families happy, but we are still quite short this year to meet our goal,” Sergeant Campbell said.
She and her family consistently join the Toys for Tots campaign in the communities she’s a part of. Helping her bring those efforts to Lexington this year are her children, including 13-year-old Ayden Campbell.
“He could tell that was a needed item for that family and that hit him differently. He was nine at the time, so… I think that helped his wanting to volunteer and wanting to help get back to the community,” Campbell said.
Ayden said the feeling of receiving the things you want is exciting. “It makes me feel good getting things you want. It leads to new things, and it makes you happy inside because it’s something you want.”
Marines like Sergeant and Admin Specialist Aram Buenaventura and his spouse and son are also avid volunteers, and say their experience not only helps the families in need, but their peers as well.
Buenaventura said the opportunity to make a difference in how someone spends their holidays matters, and it helps their own families enjoy the holiday spirit.
“It’s also about us being together as a family, together helping, together as a unit,” Buenaventura said.
Last year, Lexington’s Toys for Tots supported over 6,000 families through donations from nonprofits, as well as people in Fayette, Jessamine and Franklin counties.
But to spread this mission further this year, the organization is asking for immediate donations to its locations throughout the city.
Some locations for donation drop-offs in Lexington include any of Ollie’s Bargain Stores, Paul Miller Ford off new circle road, and several more listed on the organization webpage at Lexington Kentucky For Tots.
The national Toys for Tots organization provides nearly 18 million toys and more to nearly 7 million kids a year.