Frankenmuth

14 T hirty-five years ago, Wally Bronner approached Tony and Geri D'Anna, owners of Frankenmuth McDonald's, about the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program – a program which was founded 38 years prior in 1947. Wally said he would like to bring the campaign to Frankenmuth and he thought it would be a good fit for our local McDonald's Restaurant. Fast forward to 2020, it has proven that Wally was right. Toys for Tots is truly a community effort of all ages in Frankenmuth, and this year is a special year to celebrate. This year Frankenmuth, will celebrate thirty-five years of active partnership with Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots in Frankenmuth, active since 1985, is truly a community effort. Frankenmuth McDonald's, the school district, local businesses, and community volunteers work together from start to finish making this a fantastic annual endeavor. From donating new unwrapped toys at local business drop boxes and fundraisers held at our schools to purchasing, dividing, and distributing toys, the Toys for Tots program helps ensure that every child in Saginaw County will have a special Christmas. The bulk of the gifts comes from monetary contributions from local businesses, civic groups, community members, and fundraisers held at our schools. Turning the monetary donations into toys given to children is a team effort. Have you ever wondered how the Toys for Tots program's monetary donations get turned into gifts under a Christmas tree? With the help of numerous local volunteers, the job gets done every year. Shopping for the Toys for Tots program is an honor and a great experience. Not only do we get to imagine the fun these kids would have with their holiday presents, but we also get to choose the gifts that would bring a smile to other children and their families. Picking out these gifts provides us with a sense of joy and fulfillment during the holiday season because we embrace the fact that these gifts will help people spend time with those they love. In 2019, 15,861 toys were distributed, and 2,503 children in Saginaw county had a brighter Christmas because of the Toys for Tots campaign. In addition to Geri and Tony D'Anna's dedication to this project, the drive would not be the same without the countless hours donated by John Compton, Tim Gilmour, and Robin Heise. This November and December, when Frankenmuth celebrates thirty-five years of active partnership with Toys for Tots, take the opportunity to celebrate this incredible venture in Frankenmuth by purchasing a toy or making a monetary donation. We are fortunate to live in a community where ALL ages support such a valuable endeavor. Cate Scott and Shivani Manyam E.F. Rittmueller Middle School 2019-2020 8th Graders On a specific evening in early November, groups of students from List Elementary, St. Lorenz, and E.F. Rittmueller Middle School, along with parent chaperones, arrive at Meijer in Saginaw to shop for thousands of dollars' worth of toys. The students, parent chaperones, and school staff members peruse the aisles, carefully choosing games, books, and an array of toys. We are all mindful of our task and make every effort to balance quality, quantity, and value. For hours we fill our carts with all types of fun toys, including games, dolls, sports equipment, and miniature cars. We then pack the items into bags and load them into a large enclosed trailer. To gain insight into this endeavor, some local volunteers share their experiences and how organizations are involved with the annual Toys for Tots Campaign: in Frankenmuth

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