Issue link: http://frankenmuthcvb.uberflip.com/i/1319461
15 Frankenmuth School District Students, parents, and staff along with Geri and Tony D'Anna, John Compton and Tim Gilmore shop, bag and load a trailer full of toys every year. U.S. Marine Corps Reservists assist with the Toys for Tots campaign (photo courtesy of The Frankenmuth News) Amanda Weiss Frankenmuth Jaycees Member The Frankenmuth Jaycees have a longstanding involvement in supporting the Saginaw County Toys for Tots program, close to 20 years. From shopping and donating to sorting the toys, many Jaycee members and their families have turned this into an annual event. With the mountain of toys donated at the Friday after Thanksgiving kick-off event at the Frankenmuth McDonalds, the program needed a group to help sort toys among gender and age groups. The Frankenmuth Jaycees stepped in to help. Every year, Jaycee members gather at a designated location, along with their children, and sort the toy donations. This is also an excellent opportunity to teach children about helping out less fortunate people. Myla Soulliere Frankenmuth High School, Class of 2020 Graduate My first experience with Toys for Tots was in sixth grade when I was given the opportunity to go shopping for toys. A group of my friends and I went with our principal, Mrs. Hecht, and we got to pick out all of our favorite toys, technology, and crafts that we thought other kids would like as well. Back then, I guess I did not know the significance of Toys for Tots because it was so much fun. As I entered high school and have become involved with the Frankenmuth Student Council, I have assisted in the week-long Penny Drive. Over the years, Frankenmuth High School has donated thousands of dollars to the project. But our involvement does not stop there; in the middle of December, Student Council members get the opportunity to distribute bags of toys to families. Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing the smiles on the parents' faces when we hand them their bag of toys. Not only is Toys for Tots helping us make a difference for others, but it is also making a difference in us. Members of the Frankenmuth Jaycees and their families divide toys each year (photo courtesy of The Frankenmuth News)