The Fountain Hills Marine Corp League Detachment #1439 is sponsoring Toys for Tots at the Fountain Hills high school campus and around town this holiday season. The MCL collected three full bins of toys at a home basketball game late in November, and the deadline to donate is next Wednesday, Dec. 14. Donations can be dropped off at the high school campus, with various businesses hosting drop boxes around town.

Dave Nelson, former Commandant of the Fountain Hills MCL and coordinator of the Toys for Tots campaign, reached out to school superintendent Dr. Cain Jagodzinski to work in conjunction to support the Valley’s underprivileged children.

The MCL Detachment #1439 would like to thank the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce and the athletic directors at Fountain Hills High School and Shadow Mountain. All fans, for both the home and away teams, were given free admission if they brought a toy to donate to the game.

Members of the MCL were joined by two active Marines from the Paradise Valley Recruiting Office to greet guests at the home basketball game. At halftime, fans threw their toys on the court, and the Fountain Hills pom team quickly gathered them into the collection bins.

There are also several businesses in town with Toys for Tots drop-off bins on their property. Organizers said the impact of a new toy can be very meaningful to a little one during the holiday season, so they ask everyone to consider donating and remember that the deadline is next Wednesday, Dec. 14.