Little League Museum Accepting Toys for Tots Donations

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
December 1, 2009

Anyone who would like to brighten the holiday for a local child can do so by bringing a new, unwrapped toy with a value of $10 or more to the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum in South Williamsport, Pa.  This is the fourth year the museum and the local Toys for Tots program have teamed up to help make the holiday better for many area families.

In appreciation for the donation, the museum will provide free admission for each person who drops off a toy.  In addition, the museum will offer 10 percent off a purchase of $20 or more in the museum gift shop the day of the visit.  Anyone donating a toy, but unable to visit the museum, will be given a pass that can be used for admission on a later date.

“It is a situation where both the donor and the museum will benefit,” Janice L. Ogurcak, Museum Director, said.  “Children in the area will receive the donated toys from the Williamsport Detachment Marine Corp League, and in return, the donor will have the opportunity to tour the museum at no additional charge.”

Toys collected at the museum will be given to the Salvation Army and American Rescue Workers for local distribution.

“All new, unwrapped toys collected within our county will be distributed within our county,” Charles E. Smith, Toys for Tots coordinator for the Williamsport Detachment Marine Corp League, Inc., said.  “We are hoping to be able to put smiles on the faces of all our needy families throughout Lycoming County.”

The Toys for Tots program will also accept checks and money orders, made payable to “Toys for Tots,” which are tax deductible.

The final pick up of toys collected at the museum will be Monday, Dec. 14.  The toys will be distributed to families with children in Williamsport Area, South Williamsport Area and Loyalsock Township school districts who are identified by the Salvation Army and the American Rescue Workers.

Toys collected at other locations in the county will be distributed by the Love Center and Veterans of Vietnam War 51 to families with children in the Jersey Shore Area, Montoursville Area, Montgomery Area and East Lycoming (Hughesville) school districts.

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.6 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.

Toys for Tots
The organization began in 1947 in California and expanded to a national program in 1948.  The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.  Walt Disney developed the logo that remains in use today.  The Williamsport program has been in effect since 1980.  Additional information about the U.S Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is available online at www.toysfortots.org.

Peter J. McGovern Museum
The Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum, 525 Route 15 Highway, is located along Route 15, two miles south of Williamsport. Winter hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays or by group appointment. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays and on New Year’s Day. Additional information is available by calling (570) 326-3607 or online at www.LittleLeague.org/museum.