POSTED: Saturday, November 10, 2012 - 6:00pm
UPDATED: Saturday, November 10, 2012 - 6:14pm
TYLER — On Saturday, East Texans in need of a little help this Christmas signed up for the U.S. Marine Core's "Toys for Tots" program on Commerce Street in Tyler.
Marine Larry Adkins tells KETK, the program was started in 1947 by a major coming back from World War II.
"He looked around and saw that there were a lot of kids that didn't have Christmas because their dads just didn't come back," Adkins said.
And ever since then, "Toys For Tots" has been helping needy Americans provide a little sunshine for their children.
Volunteer Fran Rodebaugh is a property manager. She says she meets less fortunate East Texans all the time and she encourages them to come sign up.
"Last year we served over 3500 children and we gave them each 4 toys. And some of them might have gotten one or two more at the end," Roderbaugh said.
If you'd like to help by donating, they'll be taking unwrapped toys, books, puzzles and money up until the 20th of December.
On the 21st, parents can come pick them up.
"It's those of us that have helping those that don't. And the Marine Core is very much into it. And I'm a Marine and I enjoy helping families and helping our country," Adkins said.