Marines help more families this year
ANDREW LEIBENGUTH/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS Schuylkill Carbon Marine Corps League Commandant James Laub, left, gives a new bike and Salvation Army ham to Sheila Sherry of Lehighton during the Schuylkill Carbon Marine Corps League Toys For Tots and Tamaqua Salvation Army food distribution held in Lehighton.
More than 1,700 children, 560 families, received Toys For Tots and food in Lehighton Saturday during the first of two Schuylkill Carbon Marine Corps League Detachment 626 Toys For Tots and Tamaqua Salvation Army holiday food distributions held in December.
Cheryl Laub, Schuylkill Carbon Marine Corps League Toys For Tots coordinator, said, "The number of families needing assistance is steadily increasing every year. Hundreds of combined volunteer hours are given every year from these Marine Corps League members, Salvation Army and community volunteers. Without them, we couldn't help all these people."
Their next distribution will be held next Monday Dec. 21 at the Tamaqua Salvation Army. All families receiving assistance at both distributions were required to register and show proof of low income or need.
The coverage area for all the families receiving these Toys For Tots and food at these distributions consist locally of Carbon and Eastern Schuylkill county. The Lehighton Salem Bible Fellowship Church donated their location, some volunteers, and comfort services for this year's Lehighton distribution. Some volunteer groups that also helped during the Lehighton distribution were the Summit Hill Black Diamond Parrothead Club, Lehighton Christ Evangelical Free Church, Salem Bible Fellowship Church, and Panther Valley Honor Society.
Cheryl Laub stressed the Marine Corps League's appreciation for all the contributions, sponsors, volunteers, and support from the community this year. Any continued Toys For Tots or food donations can be dropped-off at the Tamaqua Salvation Army prior to Dec. 21.
