Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Marine Major Bill Hendricks and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children, according to the Toys for Tots Web site. The site also states that through the course of the 59 years, Marines have distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 million needy children.

The Toys for Tots effort not only continues this year nationally, but also locally where Mower County residents have a chance to support it.

On Dec. 8, 10 and 11, volunteers from Cedars of Austin will offer a free-will donation gift wrapping station at the Oak Park Mall with Toys for Tots as the beneficiary of the funds.

The station will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 4 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 11.

This is a nice effort these volunteers have done for the past three years, and we appreciate them doing it. It not only gives residents an opportunity to have their gifts wrapped for them, but the money goes to a worth cause as well.