IRON MOUNTAIN — This month is Christmas and I’d like to tell you about one of the Dickinson County’s veterans organizations — The Marine Corps League.

Each year the Marine Corps League helps make sure that every child in the area has a toy for Christmas. They are the driving force behind the Toys For Tots Campaign.

This organization is proud to say that 96 percent of the money donated nationally goes to the purchase and delivery of toys. Thousands of Reserve Marines, MCL members and other Toys For Tots volunteers distribute 15 millions toys to 6.5 million needy children throughout the United States. Locally, 100 percent of the toys and money collected helps area families.

The Marine Corps League has delivered toys to local children since 2007. They have been able to distribute nearly 1,400 toys to children in Dickinson County and the bordering Wisconsin area. For the past few years the Toys For Tots campaign has teamed up with the Salvation Army to be able to provide toys to more children.

How can you help? You’ll see collection boxes at the office in the YMCA building, Bianco’s Fitness, Walmart, the area fire and police stations, First Bank and the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Federal Credit Union along with other area businesses. Please drop off an unwrapped new toy at any of the dozens of collection boxes or donated at www.toysfortots.org. For more information about their local campaign email Michael Miller at toysfortots49801@gmail.com. To sign up for toys call Tara Blagec at The Salvation Army at 906-779-5717.

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The office is in need of volunteers to help shovel out our elderly and disabled veterans. If you or someone you know is able and willing to shovel contact Denise Formolo at 906-774-2820. At this time, we have eight veterans who need help with shoveling walkways. We are asking if you can volunteer to shovel out even one veteran this winter.

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Upcoming events:

— Dec. 14, Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 of Iron Mountain breakfast.

— Jan. 25, Veteran’s first mobile food pantry, 9 to 11 a.m., veterans must prove statue all others, 11 a.m. to noon.

If you have not joined a veterans service organization please consider doing so today.