Northfield News - Kline Urges Folks to Support 'Toys for Tots' Efforts

News Article

By Rep. John Kline

While the National Retail Federation reports sales slipped, Americans still spent approximately $13 billion during "Black Friday" weekend.
Despite low expectations, "Cyber Monday" sales passed $2 billion in the biggest e-commerce day ever.

Regardless of numerous consumer economic reports, it is still safe to say most Minnesota children will be waking up on Christmas morning with gifts under the tree. Unfortunately, there will also be Minnesota children who won't be as fortunate.

That is where we can help.

Toys for Tots was founded by members of the Marine Corps in 1947, when Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children.

Nearly 70 years later, Toys for Tots has distributed more than 469 million toys to more than 216 million children. Locally, the Twin Cities Toys for Tots campaign distributed more than 186,000 toys, books and stocking stuffers to more than 126,000 children in the community, resulting in the sixth-highest distribution in the nation.

Staff Sgt. Malek Neman is once again overseeing the Toys for Tots Minneapolis campaign this year. You can drop off unwrapped toys like books, games, puzzles and sports equipment at local drop-off sites, or at S. Sgt. Neman's warehouse in Eagan at 985 Aldrin Drive. He asked us to emphasize his warehouse is especially in need of unwrapped gifts for older children, ages 11-15.

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