Toys for Tots fundraiser in Portage brings several groups together for a good cause
A massive Toys-for-Tots drive was held today at the Toys R Us on South Westnedge Avenue in Portage.
PORTAGE, Mich. — A massive Toys-for-Tots drive was held today at the Toys R Us on South Westnedge Avenue in Portage.
It's the largest single day for donations across Southwest Michigan.
For more than 20 years, the Sundowners 4x4 Club and the Marine Corps have taken over the Toys R Us parking lot in Portage, to collect as many toys as they can for families in need this holiday season.
“Hats off to Sundowners; every single year these guys are here,” Brian Meyers said. “Doesn't matter if it's 10 degrees out or 70 degrees out, they're going to be here.”
Meyers owns JCR Off Road. He and his employees joined up with the Sundowners, raising $7,500 to buy toys.
“I filled an entire cart worth of Star Wars stuff,” Meyers said. “It was probably $1,000 worth of Star Wars stuff.”
All the toys go to a Toys-for-Tots warehouse in Battle Creek, where special families can shop for gifts.
And it's not just toys, this year 58 bikes were donated by Five Star realtor Julie Reisner.
“I work with a lot of awesome people who know my heart and want to pay it forward,” Reisner said.
Instead of giving her clients housewarming gifts, Reisner donates a bike in their name.
Carolyn Binder feels honored that Reisner helped her be a part of such a great opportunity.
“To be able to light up a kid's Christmas and really give them as much joy as I have in my first home, give them that joy,” Binder, a Five Star client, said.
While gifts were collected, toy shoppers could check out all of these big toys. The 4x4 club filled the parking lot, spreading joy and giving back.
“It's just a great event and a great way to kick off the holiday season,” Binder said.
Toys-for-Tots will have another toy collection next weekend at the Toys R Us in Portage. They will be stuffing a metro bus full of toys. The public is invited to be a part in that donation event as well.
