TRAVERSE CITY -- Toys for Tots kicks off its annual drive Saturday at Great Wolf Lodge.
Beginning at 12 p.m.* there will be police and fire displays, caroling, face painting and refreshments. Santa Claus will arrive in a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
The event is free, but participants are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy.
Last year, Toys for Tots distributed toys to 6,000 children in the five-county area surrounding Traverse City.
Fox Motors, one of the collection sites for Toys for Tots, has already filled six boxes. You can drop toys off at 3258 N U.S. 31 S. or call John Cueter at Fox Grand Traverse, 929-6502.
Other 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 PIzza, 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 Wal-Mart
-- 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.
Because of an editor's error, this story originally gave the wrong time for the Toys For Tots kickoff event. The event is from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Great Wolf Lodge.
