COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – For the 25th year in Branch County, the Marine Corps League will be presenting Merry Christmas presents to needy children and families. The Toys for Tots gift campaign of the Corps’ Branch Area Detachment #763 this holiday season culminated Friday at Meijer in Coldwater where League members in collaboration with the Coldwater Early Bird Exchange Club shopped for the kids’ presents at the store.
Donations from the public helped fund the purchase of $20,000 worth of clothes, toys, games, bikes, and other items with Meijer contributing $4,000 to the cause and the other $16,000 realized through the Marine Corps League efforts.
Emily Lynch, the store director for Meijer in Coldwater, said their goal is to assist the less fortunate at Christmas time and be able to provide more smiles for those families. Lynch said you just can’t beat what happened Friday at Meijer with the Marine Corps League, calling shopping for the kids the best part of her job.
The toys and clothes are being taken to the Coach Eby Youth and Family Center in Coldwater for distribution next week. The Salvation Army, which had taken applications this fall for assistance through Toys for Tots, will be sorting and arranging the items on Monday and then parents of the eligible families will be picking up the the gifts on Tuesday.
