HELENA — This year more than 12,000 toys were raised by the Helena Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program.
More than a hundred volunteers showed Saturday to help distribute those toys to families.
Joel Windle, Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class said, “We just want to be down here and show our support for the community, and honestly it comes down to the families and making everyone has a really great Christmas.”
Action figures, stuffed animals, books and other gifts flooded the floor of the Salvation Army gymnasium, while a clothing distribution was held upstairs.
Marine corps veteran Jim Heffernan helped start Helena Toys for Tots 40 years ago and was helping encourage the younger volunteers...
He also gave out challenge coins to those that went above and beyond helping their fellow neighbors.
Heffernan said if he knows one thing, it's that the community will always come together to help those in need.
“But I think with the people in Helena and the surrounding areas, this will continue on I hope for another 40 or 50 years, until there is no child out there that doesn't need a toy.
More than 380 Helena families are benefiting from this year's Toys for Tots event.
