BY MATT LINDSEYNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM — A United States Marine Corps veteran has taken the helm at the St. Lawrence County Toys For Tots campaign.

Last year the program provided 2,148 children with three to four gifts for the holidays, according to Tylor Reynolds, SLC coordinator for the organization.

He said he decided to get involved with Toys For Tots for a few reasons. He discusses taking over from the past coordinator, who wanted to move aside so she could spend more time with her children.

“I am a United States Marine Corps Veteran which first drove me to Toys for Tots, but I am also born and raised here in St. Lawrence County,” Reynolds said.

Also, as a 17-year volunteer firefighter in this community he has seen what it's like for a child to not have a Christmas with toys or family around them.

“If I can even get one toy to every economically disadvantaged child in St. Lawrence County and make even one Christmas worth it then I have succeeded,” he said. “My goal is to do more than that and make sure that every child has a Christmas they will never forget and their parents or guardians do not have to worry that their children will go without.”

St. Lawrence County Toys for Tots campaign runs through Dec. 14.

Dropbox requests, volunteer requests, sponsor requests and toy requests are open now.

Toy requests can be made online and through many local organizations. “We ask that those that apply for toys from Toys For Tots only apply in one location to ensure everyone can be helped,” Reynolds said.

All of these can be located at ogdensburg-ny.toysfortots.org, through the app or through the Facebook page St. Lawrence County Toys For Tots. The app store on IOS and Android has the Toys For Tots app to locate local campaigns or drop boxes.  

The best way to monetarily donate is through the QR code which can be located at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566008920353 or via the link on the website or app.

“We accept any new and unwrapped toy for all ages up to 18 years of age,” Reynolds said.

Drop boxes have already been distributed to many stores and locations all across the county.

“We partner with many local organizations and supply them with toys to ensure we help every economically disadvantaged child in the county,” he said. “Some toys get sent to local organizations that distribute toys and in locations where those organizations do not exist or work with us we collect applications and distribute them on specific dates that we coordinate with our volunteers.”

No major changes are expected to the program, as he called the campaign “very well set up and structured”.

However, Reynolds is implementing new rules and regulations as required by the Marine Corps Reserves Toys For Tots Foundation but most of those are behind the scenes changes and do not affect the overall campaign.

He said that with the past coordinator staying on board, it will help ensure that this campaign will continue to succeed and grow.