Toys collected by the Toys for Tots drive will be brought to the The Center on Wednesday, Dec. 10 during the annual event at 5:30-10:00 p.m. where all the clubs and activity groups from the Mansfield ISD schools set up booths and stands.

Toys for Tots, a foundation organized to help less-fortunate children experience the joys of Christmas, begins collecting toys during the month of October all the way through December. The foundation collects unwrapped toys, cash and or checks. The money raised helps to purchase toys for less fortunate children and allows people to give back to the community during the holiday.

Local Marine reserves collect toys annually in all 50 states for Toys for Tots, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Communities help in the collecting of these toys by setting up toy drop boxes in school, in churches and locally around the city.

This year Legacy established something new. Ms. Tamakian imposed a new challenge: the club to collect the highest percentage of toys will receive a pizza party.

“The purpose of the challenge is to make it more fun for us and encourage participation,” Tamakian said.

The event held at The Center will feature live reindeer, a large shark slide, free Santa photos, parade booths with free children’s activities, a snow tubing hill, a large bounce house obstacle course, a Winter Wonderland area and numerous activities. Food trucks and vendors will also offer free coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider.

The parade begins at 5:00 in the Center’s parking lot and will be followed by student performances on multiple stages. At 10:00, the Marines will begin to load all the toys collected for Toys for Tots. Several live broadcasts will also be made by FOX 4 news.

All toys, proceeds and donations will be given to children in need to have a happy holiday season.

Update: Mansfield ISD Toys for Tots Community Drive and even collected a total of 26,000 toys and an estimated $8,000 for the Toys for Tots charity in the DFW area.