The local Toys for Tots campaign is off to a good start, organizers say.
With volunteers from the Salisbury police and fire departments perched atop Krispy Kreme on West Innes Street for 60 hours over three days beginning Dec. 4, the effort has raised $4,300 ó $1,000 more than last year ó and yielded more than 1,500 donated toys.
The largest contributors were Havana Nights Cigar Store, First United Church of Christ of Salisbury and AMVETS 845. The donations provide Christmas gifts for needy Rowan children, and there are additional Toys for Tots events scheduled. They are:
– Breakfast at Applebee’s, 205 Faith Road, Dec. 12, 7-10 a.m., including visits by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Santa Claus, for $6 per person.
– A benefit hosted by accountant Alan F. Burke, Dec. 18, 2-7 p.m., with food, drinks and appearances by NASCAR drivers Jamie McMurray and Scott Riggs, 2-4 p.m.; retired NFL player Mike Morton, 3-5 p.m.; NASCAR drivers Joe Nemechek and Travis Kvapil, 5-7 p.m.; and NASCAR driver Jeff Green, 6-7 p.m.
The event will include a raffle of NASCAR memorabilia and other donated merchandise. The cost of admission is a new, unwrapped toy. To reserve a ticket, call 704-633-8697. Tax professionals will also be available to answer any tax questions.
Toys for Tots is a U.S. Marine Corps program that collects new, unwrapped toys to be distributed as Christmas gifts to needy children in the communities where local campaigns are conducted.
Donations are still being collected at the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting office, State Farm Insurance, Bumper to Bumper Auto Repair, Debbie Barnhardt Jewelry, Grand on Julian Apartments, Alan F. Burke CPA, First Bank, East Coast Wings & Grill, Salisbury Gardens, Southern Power, Citizens South Bank, the Hefner VA Medical Center, Brian Center, K-Dee Jewelers, Goodyear, Thread Shed, Caniche, Isenhour-Freeman Insurance, Centurion Medical Products, Bayada Nurses, Victory Wealth Management, Gerry Wood Honda and Team Chevrolet, Copart, Cut Up & Dye, NAPA in Salisbury, Ralph Baker Shoes, Ameriprise Financial, HalfTime Bar and Grill, Shear Innovations, VFW 3006, AMVETS 460 and AMVETS 845.
For more information, log on to www.toysfortots.org.