Madison County’s annual Toys for Tots Program, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, gets underway on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and will continue through Dec. 23. Toys may be dropped off at the Madison County Community Bank and Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Suggestions for toys include bats, balls, gloves, backpacks, wallets, purses, books, radio-controlled cars, trucks, cosmetics, bath gift sets, board games, handheld electronics, skateboards and helmets. The Sheriff’s Office will accept applications from Nov. 4 to Nov. 25 from families desiring toys from the Toys for Tots Program. The Sheriff’s Office also will be working with a variety of organizations to help identify needy children in Madison County.
The application process requires proof of household income, the child’s original birth certificate, original Social Security card and proof of Madison County residency. A family in need can sign up with the required documents at the Sheriff’s Office no later than November 25. There are no guarantees every family signed up will receive gifts through this program. The Toys for Tots program originated in the 1940’s as a program implemented by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The program’s mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys leading up to and during the holiday season. The toys will be distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. For more information, contact Tammy Webb at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office (850) 973-4151.