Wyandotte Businesses Collecting for Toys for Tots

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserves' annual Toys for Tots drive is under way and there are plenty of places in Wyandotte where you can help.

Thirteen locations are serving as official toy drop-off locations. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 12.

The Wyandotte Police Department is collecting toys, as well as being the only place in town where parents can pick up an application to request assistance.

Applications are due Dec. 7, with toy distribution beginning Dec. 13.

"The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders," the organization said on its website.

Wyandotte Firefighter Brendt Frederick said his department's goal is to collect enough toys so that “as many kids as possible this Christmas season can get helped out.”

“As firefighters, we know we’re part of the community," he said. "We try to give back as much as we can.”

New, unwrapped gifts for boys and girls up to age 12 are being collected. Ideal gifts are between $10 and $20.

Kim Felske, who coordinates the Downriver campaign, said the requests for assistance continue to rise every year, but if past years ring true this year, there will be enough toys to go around. 

"Downriver doesn’t let me down," she said. "Very seldom do I have to turn anyone away."

As proof of that, she said, the collection box at the police department already had to be emptied once because it was overflowing. The one at Walgreens, she said, has been emptied twice.

The group helps about 2,500 Downriver children each year, Felske said.

Toys can be dropped off locally at:

• American Legion Post No. 447
• Bacon Memorial District Library
• Dollar General
• Downriver Council for The Arts
• Etlinger Chiropractic
• Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital
• Jerry's Ace Hardware
• Mane Floor Salon
• Seaway Boat Club
• Walgreens
• Wyandotte Family Physicians
• Wyandotte Fire Department
• Wyandotte Police Department

For more information, call 734-363-7883 or visit the group's website.