This holiday season, Project HOPE is co-sponsoring a Toys for Tots toy drive along with the Cerritos College PreMed Club. The toy drive began on Monday, Oct. 22 and will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

According to the Toys for Tots website, the campaign was adopted in 1948 by the Marine Corps and today there are two reserve centers in Los Angeles County. Both centers work together to help distribute Christmas gifts, such as toys and books, to less fortunate children all across the country.

If you would like to make a donation, you can stop by the Project HOPE office and drop off any gifts by 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26. The toys should be new, unwrapped, and be valued around $10. Toys for Tots does not accept realistic looking toy weapons or any toys with food inside.

Undecided major, Norma Arana says, “It’s a good thing for people who can donate toys because we are in a (economic) crisis and a lot of kids are going to need those toys. Some people are not able to donate but some people can and they are doing a good thing for those kids.”

Project HOPE coordinator, Danylle Manser is optimistic about the expected donation turnout.

“The PreMed (Club) sponsored the toy drive last year so I thought that this was something that Project HOPE could co-sponsor with them this year.

“Anyone can come to any of the PreMed Club’s meetings and drop off the toys. We will store them here and they will be transported to the official drop off site so they can be distributed to the children.”

Depending on the turnout, Project HOPE has their own hopes of becoming an official drop off site next holiday season. They are optimistically awaiting an adequate response from the community before they proceed to make that decision.

The PreMed Club is also accepting donations at a few of its upcoming meetings that are scheduled to be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Oct. 30 (room FA 54), Nov. 13 (room S103), and Nov. 27 (room FA 54).

On the last day of the toy drive, the toys will be picked up by the Marine Corps and taken to the Salvation Army distribution center in Bell, Calif. where they will be passed out to children in need.

You can also make a cash donation either online or by mailing in a check. The Toys for Tots campaign will use any monetary donations to purchase toys at wholesale prices and choose toys specifically for certain ages and genders.

If you have have any questions or concerns, contact the Project HOPE office at (562) 860- 2451 ext. 7847.