Marines host Toys for Tots drive

The Puget Sound Marine Corp League and the Myrtle Lodge masons will be holding a Toys for Tots toy drive Dec. 15 to 17 at Myrtle Lodge, 57 W. Sunset Way in Issaquah.

People can donate new, unwrapped toys or make cash donations from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. all three days, said Marine Corps Commandant Dan Nelson.

“We’re looking for as many toys as we can get,” he said. “We want to fill the hall.”

After the toys are all collected, the donations will be taken to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Redmond, where the Marine Corps Motorcycle Club will gather them and take them to Seattle on a group motorcycle ride.

Nelson said the Puget Sound Marine Corps League covers all of King and Lewis County, and has had its resources for the drive spread pretty thin in the last few years. The group is focusing more on it this year, though, and Nelson is creating flyers and posters to hang around Issaquah to let people know the drive is happening.

“We’re really trying to get the word out,” Nelson said. “We want as many people who can donate as possible to help out. You don’t even have to get out of your car.”

A drive-up donation option has been organized.

There is no age requirement for the toys, but they must be new, unopened and safe for children to play with.