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  • Garret Leiva

    Toys for Tots
November 23, 2009

Santa kicks off Toys for Tots campaign

Santa Claus arrived by U.S. Coast Guard helicopter instead of reindeer Saturday at the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City as part of an event to kick off the Toys for Tots campaign in northern Michigan.

The event also featured Christmas carols sung by Old Mission and Blair Elementary school students, along with police and fire displays.

The Toys for Tots campaign runs through Dec. 20. The toys are distributed through family service agencies, including the Father Fred Foundation, Salvation Army, Women's Resource Center and Goodwill Inn.

How to help

Toys for Tots plans numerous local events over the next few weeks, and toys may be dropped off at 3258 U.S. 31 S. or call John Cueter at Fox Grand Traverse, 929-6502.

Local events for Toys for Tots include:

-- Nov. 30-Dec. 4: Toy Bus Week

-- Nov. 30, 4-7 p.m.: Toy drive at Kalkaska Bill Marsh Ford

-- Dec. 1. 4-7 p.m.: Toy drive at A. Papano's Pzza, 7803 Crystal Drive, Beulah

-- Dec. 2: 4-7 p.m.: Toy drive at Ruby Tuesday's, in front of Meijer, Cadillac

-- Dec. 3: 4-7 p.m.: Toy drive at Gaylord Walmart

-- Dec. 4: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.: Toy drive at Traverse City Meijer -- Meijer will match toys purchased from their store on this day that are donated to Toys for Tots.

-- Dec. 4: 6 p.m.: Toys for Tots toy-raiser at The Terminal, 1669 S. Garfield, Traverse City

-- Dec. 12: Fox Grand Traverse Toy-raiser, 3464 N. U.S. 31 S., Traverse City

For more information on Toys for Tots or Saturday's kickoff, call 933-0344 or go to www.toysfortots.org.

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