WILLMAR — The annual Toys for Tots drive held in collaboration with the Willmar Salvation Army became a literal drive for those receiving gifts for children this year. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the toy distribution will be held drive-thru style throughout the week outside the Uptown Willmar mall.
This year, around $100,000 worth of toys were donated and about 250 families will receive the donations, according to Auxiliary Captain Ron Felt of the Willmar Salvation Army.
Families and guardians were able to request toys for their children several weeks prior to the distribution and were asked to head to the mall this week to receive the donations.
Typically, families would be able to pick out gifts for their own children, but due to COVID-19, the organizers had to limit contact. All toy donations were individually bagged and packaged as a coronavirus safety precaution.
1/4: Zoey Wallace picks up toy donations for her children at the Salvation Army Toys for Tots drive-thru distribution on Monday at Uptown Willmar mall. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
2/4: About 250 families will receive toy donations this year through the Willmar Salvation Army Toys for Tots drive. All toy donations were individually bagged and packaged as a coronavirus safety precaution. Typically, families would be able to pick out gifts for their own children, but due to covid-19 the organizers had to limit contact. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
3/4: Wayne Stayer, a cadet a part of the national Salvation Army, peeks through the warehouse door to see if more cars lined up to receive donations at the Salvation Army Toys for Tots drive-thru distribution on Monday at Uptown Willmar mall. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
4/4: Wayne Stayer, a cadet a part of the national Salvation Army, helps load a car with bagged toys at the Salvation Army Toys for Tots drive-thru distribution on Monday at Uptown Willmar mall. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
