Toys for Tots steps up Lake Country collections

  • A large group of local well-wishers, including Eatonton Mayor John Reid (4th from right) and his wife Janie (far left), joined several other downtown business owners in welcoming Toys for Tots to a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce offices on East Marion Street. CONTRIBUTED
    A large group of local well-wishers, including Eatonton Mayor John Reid (4th from right) and his wife Janie (far left), joined several other downtown business owners in welcoming Toys for Tots to a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce offices on East Marion Street. CONTRIBUTED

    The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 14, celebrating Toys for Tots, a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program. Each year from October to December, Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys and then distributes them as Christmas gifts to local children in need.

    Kathy Cummings, who represents Toys for Tots in Putnam and Baldwin counties, is working to make the 2026 campaign an even bigger success. She is seeking local businesses to serve as toy collection sites, volunteers to assist with the campaign, and Lake Country support to help connect local children with holiday donations.

    Community members can support the campaign by donating new, unwrapped toys, hosting a toy collection box at a local business, volunteering their time, or helping to spread the word about the program.

    To get involved or learn more about supporting Toys for Tots in Baldwin and Putnam counties, email the local Toys for Tots team at milledgeville. ga@toysfortots.org.

    — Contributed