How do you help over 2,000 kids have a very merry Christmas?

Somerset American Legion Auxiliary knows the answer, they teamed with the USMC, Toys for Tots program out of Johnstown PA Motor Transport Company.

Chairman for the project, Becky Martin, and Kayla Breman said that Unit 181 has been working with the Toys for Tots program for at least 9 years and through community outreach the program has grown to be the number one contributor to the Johnstown Toys for Tots Program that reaches out to neighboring communities. The Auxiliary goal was to raise $20,000; they surpassed that goal and raised over $22,000 with 100% of the funding going directly to the program.

After the funds were counted and collected, the American Legion Family of the Samuel S. Crouse Post 181 along with the Marines of the Johnstown Motor Transport Company, had a fun filled night of shopping at the Local Walmart. Over 100 carts were filled to the brim with toys, electronics, and games, to be taken to the Johnstown Marine Corps Reserve Center where they will be sorted and sent to various locations for distribution.

Walmart Staff said not to worry about the shelves being empty as they prepare for the Auxiliary’s Christmas shoppers and have a new stock of toys coming soon. Michele Weyand, a checker for Walmart, was all smiles as she was busy ringing up the sales, she said this is the day that work is filled with fun and just knowing she was a small part of the process warms her heart.

Contributions came from families, community businesses, fund raisers and help from the Somerset VFW, The Auxiliary has already started campaigning for the 2024 year, where they have set the goal even higher!

Sgt. Curtis Nelson said the Toys for Tots program in the area helps over 800 families and 2,500 children. The toys for Tots program, founded in 1947 and was established as a 501(c)(3) charity in 1991. Children from birth to 17 years of age are eligible for the program.