Erie County employees were joined by visitors to Santa Land at Chestnut Ridge Park in a wide-scale toy-gathering effort that produced hundreds of new, unwrapped toys for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s “Toys for Tots” campaign. Toy collection efforts began at county offices and buildings just before Thanksgiving and were augmented by the large and generous turnout at Santa Land, an annual free family holiday event that was held December 9- 10 at Chestnut Ridge.

“I would like to thank all the Erie County employees, as well as the many visitors to Santa Land this past weekend, who donated a toy to this year’s Toys for Tots campaign,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Their thoughtfulness and caring will bring smiles to many faces on Christmas morning, and can make all the difference in making the holidays brighter for the children and families who receive these gifts.”

The Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December each year for distribution as Christmas gifts to needy children in the area.

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