Toys for Tots collection to benefit East Palestine children

Toys for Tots is collecting toys for the children of East Palestine, where a fiery train derailment occurred Feb. 3.

Bob Stratton, Toys for Tots coordinator of the Ohio Leatherneck Detachment 845 of the Marine Corps League, has started the emergency toy drive, which will culminate with the delivery of new toys to the Columbiana County community on April 2.

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Stratton became aware that parents were concerned that their children might be playing with contaminated toys after speaking with the mayor's office in East Palestine.

Only new, unwrapped toys are being accepted. They may be taken to Stratton's warehouse at 6034 Dana Road SW in Carroll County's Orange Township near Sherrodsville and to EPS Packaging of Ohio at 1269 Stonecreek Road SW, south of New Philadelphia in York Township.

Collection hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days. Persons wishing to drop off toys on Saturdays and Sundays should call ahead to Stratton at 330-904-8051 or David Berry, the detachment's commandant, at 330-340-0269 to make sure someone will be present to accept them.

All monetary donations should be sent to: Bob Stratton warehouse, 6034 Dana Road SW, Sherrodsville, Ohio 44675.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Toys for Tots collecting toys for East Palestine children