The familiar boxes are back out at area businesses and the Toys for Tots collection is underway. On Friday, Jim Mattson was delivering a container to the Michigan Tech School of Forestry, one of his final stops. He is a part of the Marine Corps League’s Keweenaw Detachment, which oversees the effort throughout much of the Western UP.
The group’s campaign in the Copper Country traditionally nets around 4,000 toys and donations go to over 1,000 needy children in the region. Mattson says the deadline for this year is December 11th.
Toys for Tots is one of the most efficient charities in the country. Over 97 percent of monetary contributions goes toward delivering presents. Mattson says that if you donate to the MCL’s Keweenaw Detachment, all of your money stays local. That is guaranteed for toys that are given. Mattson says they even ensure that your gift stays within the county.
A full list of businesses participating in this year’s campaign can be found in the Community Calendar page.