Qualified donation means free museum admission and discount on purchase

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Nov. 15, 2006) – Anyone bringing a new, unwrapped toy with a value of at least $10 to the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum in South Williamsport, Pa., can experience the joy of giving as well as of receiving this holiday season.

The museum and the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program have joined forces to make the holidays brighter for everyone.

Each visitor who brings a qualifying toy will receive one free admission to the museum as a gift for supporting the local Toys for Tots program. In addition, the museum will offer participating visitors 10 percent off a purchase of $20 or more made at the museum gift shop on the day of the visit.

“It is a win-win situation,” Janice L. Ogurcak, director of the museum, said. “Children in this area will receive toys from The Williamsport Detachment Marine Corps League and donors will have the opportunity to tour the museum at no additional charge.”

Toys collected at the museum for Toys for Tots will be given to the Salvation Army for local distribution, Charles E. Smith, Toys for Tots coordinator for the Williamsport Detachment of the Marine Corps League, said.

“All new, unwrapped toys collected within our county will be distributed within our county,” he said. Checks or money orders, made payable to “Toys for Tots,” are tax deductible.

The final pick up for toys collected at the museum will be Monday, Dec. 18, 2006. The toys will be distributed on Dec. 20 to families with children in Williamsport Area, South Williamsport Area and Loyalsock Township school districts who are identified by the Salvation Army. The American Rescue Workers also will distribute toys gathered at Toys for Tots collection points to other families in those school districts, Mr. Smith said.

Locally, thousands of toys have been supplied locally to hundreds of children during earlier campaigns, the coordinator said.

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

Toys for Tots began in 1947 in California and expanded to a national program in 1948. Walt Disney developed the logo that remains in use. The Williamsport program has been in effect since 1980. Mr. Smith said about 7,500 toys and 40 bicycles collected were given to 2,700 children last year.

The Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum is located along Route 15, two miles south of Williamsport (15 miles north of Interstate 80). It is open for its winter hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day. Additional information is available by telephoning (570) 326-3607.