Toys for Tots seeking a new location

A file photo of Melanie Sweet this years Toys for Tots coordinator hold up a donation canister in a storage unit where their supplies are stored on Tuesday May 3, 2022. The organization is looking for a new location.

LOGAN – Cache Valley Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots is once again looking for a home. The Christmas charity was in a temporary space. When the lease ended they packed up everything and put them all into a storage unit until they can find a new location.

A file photo of  a Toys for Tots box that has bags stuffed with toys for children in Cache, Box Elder, Rich, Franklin and Bear Lake counties

“Everything is packed so tight into the storage unit we cannot operate out of it,” said Michael Soholt, last year’s coordinator. “We have moved into our third place in a year.”

They are hoping for a 2,000 square foot warehouse with a loading dock but would take anyplace that they can find with reasonable rent at this point.

“At this point we are looking for anywhere with four walls and roof with a door,” he said. “Ideally we would like to find something with good space that has a working restroom with heating and air conditioning.”

Although they have some time to find space, Toys for Tots would like to get settled in before the holiday season.

Last year, Melanie Sweet was the assistant coordinator and she has been promoted to coordinator and her assistant coordinator position was given to Michael Soholt.

When the Christmas season rolls around, they have pallets of toys being dropped from other parts of the country so finding the right location is essential.

Toys for Tots also uses community and church groups for volunteers, as well as Marines to get things packaged for children. The space is also used for storing flags and other equipment for different flag ceremonies.

The local Marine Corps Reserves has about 30 Marines in their local group.

Toys for Tots began in 1947 nationally, but they came to Cache Valley in 2010.

The organization serves children from Cache, Box Elder, Franklin, Rich and Oneida counties.

Every year their toy campaign begins in October and goes until December 22. People across the country drop off new, unwrapped toys at collection receptacles located in businesses. Local Toys for Tots coordinators pick up, sort and store toys in a central warehouse.

The Toys for Tots organization is a 501-C3 non-profit organization and is always seeking toy or monetary donations, volunteers and local warehouse space.

If someone has space available, they should contact Melanie Sweet at (435) 760-2811, Michael Soholt at (435) 339-3340 or logan-uttoysfortots.org.

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