In the spirit of the holiday season, the Windham Region of the Chamber of Commerce is partnering with several other local groups to hold a "Toys for Tots" collection.
This Saturday, Dec. 12, the Chamber of Commerce will collect toys outside of Wal-Mart in North Windham from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. Their goal is to stuff a boat - a 22-foot bass boat - donated by Chris Novack, the owner of local business CT Outdoors.
CT Outdoors is a company that holds competitive bass fishing tournaments for adults and children. The E.O. Smith High School wrestling team will be supporting family and community service by loading the toys into the boat and delivering the toys to their destinations.
It is estimated that the boat will hold about 500 toys, but the sponsors of this event welcome as many toys as the community can afford to donate. Specifically, they are looking for toys to benefit all ages.
After the event, the toys will be brought to the Willimantic Police Department, where they will be sorted and distributed to local families in need based on their income and assets. The Police Department aims to deliver the toys to children in the immediate Windham area, including Mansfield.
"Other Toys for Tots campaigns in the area have been very successful with the Willimantic Police Department, collecting truck loads of toys in their 'stuff-a-cruiser' campaign," said Diane Nadeau, the director of marketing and membership service at the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce.
"We have a contingency plan to collect as many toys as possible," Nadeau said.
Gift cards and monetary donations will also be accepted at the toy drive. Donations can also be made at the Chamber of Commerce office until Dec. 22.
Wal-Mart is located at 474 Boston Post Road in North Windham.
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