The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation to collect new, unwrapped toys as Christmas gifts for less fortunate children in their community. With the generous support of the Carroll County Public Library, Carroll County Government, Westminster School of Gymnastics, Wal-Mart, other department stores, and giving residents, a total of 1,447 new toys were collected.

These toys were delivered to the drop off site where they are being sorted for distribution to needy children in time for Christmas. The United States Marine Corps Reserve has established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies who identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.

Drop off sites were placed at each Carroll County Public Library Branch, the Library Headquarters in New Windsor, the Carroll County Government Office Building, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office headquarters. In addition, the students at the Westminster School of Gymnastics opted to donate gifts to Toys for Tots on behalf of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office instead of exchanging gifts with each other during their holiday party in December. Furthermore, the Eldersburg, Hampstead, and Westminster Wal-Mart’s pledged their support by allowing Sheriff’s Deputies joined by current and former Marines to collect toys at each location on Black Friday, as their kickoff campaign.

Master Deputy Christopher McMillen, of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, also a former Marine, coordinated this annual charity toy drive, in support of the Toys for Tots Foundation, but the ultimate success was recognized due the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donated toys.

In a press release it stated: The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our partners during this initiative and the residents of Carroll County for demonstrating their commitment our community youth. On behalf of the men and women at the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, have a safe and happy holiday!