Santa Coming to Sunday Toys for Tots Event

West Real Estate offers the chance for children to meet Santa and donate unwrapped toys from 12-4 p.m.

Toys for Tots Brightening Up Holiday Season

The group, which has been around for 65 years, gathered more than 150,000 donations last year.

Reminder: Santa Claus is coming to town on Sunday. West Real Estate will welcome the man in red to their business on Main Street from 12-4 p.m. as a part of the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive. Representatives from AMP 103.3 radio will be on hand playing holiday classics and residents are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to donate. Free refreshments, members of the Marines and other surprises will also make for a festive day. Original Story: It’s the happiest time of the year, but that isn’t the case for everyone. And that’s where Toys for Tots needs your help. The group is once again collecting donations to distribute in Wilmington and other local towns in Middlesex and Essex County. During Monday’s Board of Selectmen …

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Toys for Tots Brightens Holidays in Area

West Real Estate holds event on Sunday.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but that’s not the case for everyone. With your help, however, the holiday season could be a little more cheerful for families in need. Toys for Tots returns again this year, bringing gifts to less fortunate families in Tewksbury and Wilmington. There are a host of drop off locations in town, including Town Hall, Market Basket, Reading Co-Operative Bank and the Senior Center. Wilmington resident Frank West, who organizes the local efforts, said at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting that the biggest struggle is solicitng donations for children 9-14 years old, while three- to five-year-olds are the most popular donation age. “If we can have people in our own community have a good Christmas and a …

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How to Give Back this Holiday Season

Locations in and around town where you can donate.

‘Tis the season for giving back! While the holidays symbolize many things for many people, they come at a time of year when community groups are in the most need of local support. During the month of December, Patch will provide a map of locations in and around town where you can give back. If you head an organization in town that can use some extra support right now, please let us know in the comment section and we will add you to next week’s article.

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Local Band Rocks for Toys for Tots

All proceeds from Christmas CD are donated to Toys for Tots program.

MASS is a band of many faces. They've tackled metal, rock, and ballads. They've toured around the country and have been under quite a few labels. This month, they're adding Christmas music to their repertoire, and Toys for Tots is benefiting from the decision. The album contains two songs and costs $4.99. All of the proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots, and so far it's been very successful. The disc sold over 400 copies in just two weeks. Included on the album are covers of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Grown Up Christmas List." All four band-members recorded this version of "Jingle Bell Rock," which takes the classic song and gives it a little extra MASS' edge. Lead Vocalist Louis D'Augusta, a Wilmington-resident, tackled the second track…

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Toys for Tots Thanks Wilmington

Wilmington receives award for extensive participation.

You've probably seen the drop-boxes at businesses around Wilmington. Toys for Tots is a hugely successful program run by the Marine Corps Reserve. They've been providing needy children with toys since 1947, and Wilmington is very involved. Board of Selectmen Chairman Louis Cimaglia accepted a Commander's Award on behalf of Wilmington for the town's participation in the program at the November 22 Board of Selectmen meeting. Wilmington has over 40 drop-boxes around town, including in the industrial parks. The town allows boxes at schools and at town hall. The award was presented by Art Enos, the Middlesex County regional Marine coordinator, and Frank West, the Toys for Tots area coordinator with his wife Karen West. The Wests are the …

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