1,500 line up for program
BUTLER TWP — The line for Toys for Tots stretched for quite a way Friday morning at Moraine Pointe Plaza.
The program, which is run in Butler County by the Bantam Marine Detachment 743, gave toys to 1,500 people at a storefront.
Kimberly Pangels of Portersville was the first person in line at 4:24 a.m. She wanted to be ready when they started handing out toys at 8 a.m.
The temperature was about 20 degrees.
This was her second year in a row of being at the front of the line. She said she has learned from past experiences about being further back in the line.
“You're going to be waiting a couple hours,” said Pangels, who was getting toys for her two children.
This year, the program distributed 1,500 bags with toys, for a total of 7,500 toys. Each bag contains one large toy, two medium-sized toys and two small toys. The bags are divided by gender and age group.
The program distributed 3,000 to 4,000 stocking stuffers, and 50 bicycles were available as well.
During November, families call the program to let it know how many bags of toys they will want. On Friday, the people standing in line entered the storefront, provided identification and were given their toys.
All of the toys were donated or bought with donated money.
“This is a very charitable county. And patriotic,” said Jerry Puff, adjutant for the Bantam Marine Detachment 743.
Dennis Johnston, coordinator for Toys for Tots for Butler, Clarion and Venango counties, said that the work is done all by volunteers.
“We have a few hundred volunteers,” Johnston said.
Marine Sgt. Gabrielle Reynoso was one of those. This was her first time helping Toys for Tots, and she said she volunteers when she can.
“We're able to give back to the community,” Reynoso said.
Puff agreed, saying he likes working for the program.“I get all my satisfaction out of this,” Puff said.The Marine group has run the program in the county since 1991.Waiting outside the storefront, Mandy Malone and Jennifer Beers of Franklin got in line at 5:45 a.m. Malone got three bags for her three children, and Beers got two bags for her two children.“It helps us out,” Malone said.This was the first time Beers participated in the program. Her husband was in an accident this year and is unable to work, making the holiday season more challenging than usual.Lisa Bell of West Sunbury was getting a bicycle for her granddaughter, who outgrew her current bike. This was her second year using the program.“They help out the community. They help out the children that maybe aren't as fortunate as other children,” Bell said.Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to Toys for Tots may call 724-841-0431.
