The U.S. Marine Corps League and Reserves have begun collecting toys and funds for the Toys for Tots program.

This is a mission to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute them as Christmas gifts to needy children within the community in which the campaign is conducted. The mission is officially a program of this military foundation.

The Broad River Leathernecks Marine Detachment, which is the Cherokee County unit, has placed collection boxes and containers in various businesses and banks in the community. The funds will be used to purchase toys, to be added to those collected, and distributed as Christmas gifts to the needy children and families of Cherokee County.

For more information on the history and program of Toys for Tots, go to www.toysfortots. org, or call John Fowlkes at (864) 489-6636.