Nearly 3,000 Northeastern Oklahoma Kids To Receive Gifts From Toys for Tots

Nearly 3,000 children In Mayes, Rogers, and Craig Counties will be waking up to brand new toys for Christmas this year. 

The Marine Corp Reserve Toys For Tots will be giving out more than 10,000 toys and dozens of bikes, to families in need, to make sure they have a good Christmas.

Dale Marsh with Toys for Tots said 2020 has been a hard year for everyone, so they weren’t really expecting to be able to help as many families this year.

Marsh said not only were they flooded with donations, but they will be giving away more toys this year than ever.

Volunteers loaded up several trailers Thursday, including a 44 foot racing trailer, full of toys and bikes. It’s all for families in need.

“I call all my volunteers my elves, and I have over a hundred elves who help me without whom I could not do this,” says Marsh.

Marsh and his helpers have collected donations from all over the community.

Marsh said several businesses and the Rogers County Sheriff's Office have jumped in to help make sure everyone has a great Christmas.

A Catoosa business donated 350 toys, and $3,000 so Marsh and his team could buy 44 brand new bikes for kids.

“I have not met a single person who isn’t delighted to see us being able to give toys to children. That’s the intent. To be able to get toys in the hands of children who might not have otherwise got them for Christmas,” says Marsh.

Tim Kirk with Tulsa Powersports donated toys and the massive trailer to haul them.

“I love kids. Love the Christmas spirit. Nothing is better for me and my employees of my company than things like this toy drive,” says Kirk. “That trailer is absolutely packed full of toys. It’s awesome.”

 This weekend families will be able to come to the Claremore VFW and pick up toys for their kids.

They will be greeted by the smiling faces of dozens of volunteers, who all just want to make sure no kid is left out this Christmas.

 “I love to be able to see the parents, some of them are in tears, some of them you can see the gratitude oozing, because many of them said “I wouldn’t have been able to do this,” says Marsh.

If you live in Mayes, Rogers or Craig County and receive any sort of assistance, you can swing by and grab toys on Friday and Saturday.