Little League Museum Is Collection Center for Toys for Tots Program

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Nov. 3, 2011) – Anyone bringing a new, unwrapped toy with a value of at least $10 to the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum in South Williamsport, Pa., can experience the joy of giving as well as receiving this holiday season.

The museum and the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program have joined forces to make the holidays brighter for everyone.

Each visitor who brings a qualifying toy will receive one free admission to the museum as a gift for supporting the local Toys for Tots program. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays. The museum will be open as scheduled on Black Friday (Nov. 25).

“This year is another challenging year to ask companies, stores, churches, clubs, restaurants and many other organizations as well as the general public to support the Toys for Tots campaign,” Charles E. Smith, Toys for Tots Coordinator for Lycoming County for the Williamsport Detachment Marine Corps League, said.  “All participants deserve a great big thank you.”

The drive helps make Christmas a little brighter for many children in Lycoming County whose families are in need, Mr. Smith continued.

“This is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to receive free admission to the museum with their generosity helping make the holidays a little better for many area families,” Janice L. Ogurcak, Director of the Little League Museum, said. “Anyone visiting the museum will also have the opportunity to purchase holiday gifts in the museum store at a discount.”

Toys collected at the museum for Toys for Tots will be given to the American Rescue Workers and the Salvation Army for local distribution in Williamsport, South Williamsport and Loyalsock Township.

Donations collected in Jersey Shore will be distributed through the Love Center and donations from Hughesville, Montoursville, Muncy and Montgomery will be distributed by the Veterans of Vietnam War Post 51.

“All new, unwrapped toys collected within our county will be distributed within our county,” Mr. Smith said.  Checks or money orders, made payable to “Toys for Tots,” are tax deductible.  He emphasized, “What is collected locally, stays locally.”

The final pick up day, at the museum, for the 2011 Toys for Tots program, will be Saturday, Dec. 17.  The museum has participated in the program since 2006.

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with more than 2.4 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.

Toys for Tots

The organization began in 1947 in California and expanded to a national program in 1948.  The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.  The Williamsport program has been in effect since 1980.  Additional information about the U.S Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is available online, at: www.toysfortots.org.  Charles Smith – Marine Corp League (322-1790/337-1562).

Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum

The Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum is located along Route 15, two miles south of Williamsport (15 miles north of Interstate 80). It is open for its winter hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is open other days by group appointment. The museum will be closed Thanksgiving Day.  Additional information about the museum, the Toys for Tots collection, and birthday, corporate, team and holiday parties is available by calling (570) 326-3607, online, at: www.LittleLeague.org/museum, and on Facebook, at: www.facebook.com/LittleLeagueMuseum.