Andrea Williamson

Hartselle Enquirer

During the month of July, Weichert Realtors and local Marines will be partnering for a Toys for Tots Christmas in July event.

Through the week of July 18-26, Weichert Realtors will have host homes in Morgan, Limestone and Lawrence counties where people can drop off new, unwrapped toys. The Marines will also be collecting toys and monetary donations at Big Lots in Decatur from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 18, Wal-Mart in Decatur from 1-5 p.m. on July 19, Wal-Mart in Hartselle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 25 and Wal-Mart in Athens from 1-5 p.m. on July 26. Monetary donations will not be accepted at the Weichert locations.

According to Sherry Hopper, who serves as the Toys for Tots director for Morgan, Limestone and Lawrence counties, this event is an opportunity to begin preparing for the Christmas season.

“I began feeling anxious and wanted to do something,” Hopper said. “I know how many children were served last year, and I just wanted to get a jump start preparing for this year.”

According to Hopper, Morgan, Limestone and Lawrence counties were previously part of a larger region with Madison County. However, Hopper who served as a successful director of 13 counties surrounding Augusta, Georgia, for 20 years, recently returned to her hometown of Hartselle to become the director of the three counties. She said that having their own region will provide these counties with more attention and, ultimately, benefit the children.

“This will boost our economy by encouraging people to shop and donate locally,” Hopper said. “It will also allow us to customize our donation site schedules because we are able to keep statistics about the number of donations at each time and each location.”

For Hopper, the joy of knowing that children who might not receive any gifts for Christmas can now have something under their tree on Christmas morning is what keeps her passionate about this organization. Her interest in Toys for Tots, though, also came from personal experience.

“I was in Okinawa, Japan, at Christmastime” Hopper, a former Marine, said. “We were in a foreign country and had not been able to go Christmas shopping. Although we didn’t have a Toys for Tots organization, some Marines brought toys to my son at our hotel, and it made an impact on me.”

Toys for Tots originated with Major Bill Hendricks in 1947. His wife sewed a small doll and asked him to donate it to an organization that gave gifts to children. When Hendricks was unable to find such an organization, he and several other Marines founded Toys for Tots.

Continuing in the spirit of Major Hendricks, Hopper looks forward to serving local children this Christmas.

“I’m hoping this is a great year for donations,” Hopper said. “I hope it is better than ever before. People often focus on children ages 3-8, so I especially need the community to remember children under age 3 and between the ages of 9 and 12. ”

For those who may need assistance for their children, Hopper said that can sign up at the Volunteer Center of Morgan County. The dates for signing up have not been determined at this time. For more information about donating, serving as a drop-off location or seeking assistance, visit the Morgan County Toys for Tots Facebook page, or call Hopper at 256-606-4242.