LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Marine Core Reserve Toys for Tots program is busy collecting toys and getting ready to give them out to families in need this weekend.
The gifts that the organization collects will be distributed to families from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Lake County Fire Protection District station, 14815 Olympic Drive in Clearlake, Hubbard said.
Santa's helpers – clad in firefighter uniforms – were out this weekend assisting with toy collection for Toys for Tots program.
“This is our final push” on collections, said Kelseyville resident Dave Hubbard, the Lake County Toys for Tots coordinator.
At Walmart in Clearlake a Lake County Fire Protection District ladder truck was on display both Saturday and Sunday, with Cal Fire personnel and a fire truck on hand at Kmart in Lakeport both days, said Hubbard.
In addition to collecting toys, children had the chance to have their pictures taken with the equipment.
This was the first year that Cal Fire has taken part, Hubbard said, adding that Cal Fire was invited as Lakeport Fire already is conducting its own toy drive.
Hubbard said 450 toys were collected during the two days at Kmart and 559 at Walmart. On Wednesday he said he hadn't yet finished picking up toys at all of the collection boxes around the county.
This Saturday, the toy distribution will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no preregistration, Hubbard said.
He said families should bring with them proof of income eligibility, for example, a child's Medi-Cal card.
No children will be allowed into the distribution, he said.
Hubbard and his wife, Pat, started the local Toys for Tots effort seven years ago.
He said they started by collecting toys for Lake County Tribal Health, where his wife works.
Last year the local Toys for Tots distributed 3,400 toys to local children, according to Hubbard.
He estimated that the organization serves at least 600 families on an annual basis, guessing the number may be higher this year.
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