Toys For Tots Will Have Earlier Application Date

The Marine Corps League Table Rock Detachment # 1197 and the Burke County United Way (BCUW) have partnered to collect and distribute toys during the holidays for more than a decade. Last year, Toys for Tots served 1,212 children in Burke County. That number has continued to grow each year. The age bracket for Toys for Tots will once again be birth to end of 5th grade.

To Apply: Parents interested in applying for their children, ages birth to end of 5th grade, can sign up beginning October 15th through December 1st, 2020 at toysfortots.org and click on “Find Your Local Campaign” select state, “NC”, then select “Burke” then, “Apply for Toys” to begin the short application process. Applicants will be contacted shortly afterward once their application has been processed.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, BCUW staff will be following state-recommended social distancing and sanitization guidelines during their distribution process. All approved applicants for toys will receive instructions on how to safely receive their toys.

“Burke County United Way (BCUW) recognizes the significance of the Marine Corps League’s call to action to fulfill Christmas wishes for families through the Toys for Tots Program. It is our sincere honor to assist the marines in their mission by processing applications, securing volunteers to assemble packages, and distribute them to families,” said “Mo” Schwind, BCUW Executive Director.

Dennis Brockland and Bob Vess, members of the Marine Corps League, have been involved with the program for 15 years.

“It is very gratifying to be blessed with good health and energy to help in this endeavor. We look forward to 2020 with expectations of helping our community again and to serve those who have need,” said Bob Vess, assistant organizer of Toys for Tots.

The Marine Corps League Detachment began in Morganton in 2005. At their very first meeting, Marine Bill Dowdle made a motion to take on the Toys for Tots program as one of their projects to serve Burke County, and the detachment has been very active in this project since that date.

“Working with Toys for Tots and other Marine Corps League endeavors allows me to give back what was given to me. I am where I am today because of my Marine experience,” said Dennis Brockland, lead organizer of Toys for Tots. “We are looking forward to helping many families experience Christmas. Thanks to many, including United Way, we are confident we will succeed.”

For more information on Toys for Tots, contact Bob Vess at bctoys4tots@yahoo.com or Abigail Taylor at the Burke County United Way at abigail.taylor@bcuw.org.