CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather SportsToys for Tots gets check for $12,500

Toys for Tots gets check for $12,500

By: Courtney Baker
cbaker@cbs4qc.com

You've heard of the miracle on 34th street, well how about the miracle on 18th street, in Rock Island that is.  Christmas has been saved for a lot of children in need.

More families than ever signed up this year to get gifts through the Marine's Toys for Tots program.  And up until Tuesday, the Marines feared they wouldn't have enough toys to give every kid the Christmas they deserve.  Now, that's all changed.

The chances the Marines could give every QC child three gifts, a board game, and a stocking stuffer seemed about as bleak as the weather.  However, then a miracle happened at the CBS 4 Toys for Tots Drive.

"We're donating a check for $12,500," said Gerrold Atkinson with Van Meter Inc.

The electrical distributor, Van Meter Inc., delivered its own shock to the Marines with what is being called likely the biggest single donation to Toys for Tots in the QC.

"In the past, we would always make a donation," said Atkinson, "This year we had a little more to give."

The Marines said the generosity couldn't have come at a better time.

"For QC kids, we don't have to short the toys put in bags this year," explained a relieved Cpl. Jeffrey Leeper.

The giving didn't stop there.  Firefighters from Silvis, Barstow, Hampton, and Carbon Cliff used their trucks to respond to a different kind of emergency.

"It's called fill the fire trucks," smiled Silvis firefighter Aaron Darwin, "it took us 2 and a half hours to fill the trucks.  It's good to give back to the community that gives to us."

Donations big and small came in throughout the day.  One QC man, who donated hundreds of dollars worth of toys by getting folks involved on Facebook, said the giving really hits home.

"During my teen years, a lot of my toys came from Toys for Tots so now that I have a job I always try to give back and encourage others to do so," said Russell Maidlow.

You still have time to give toys or money to the program.  If the donations aren't used this year, the Marines will carry them over until next year.