Because of Covid-19 last year, Royal Gorge Detachment of Marine Corps League was not able to collect physically in front of Walmart.

“That's where we get a lot of our monetary donations,” said Carl Clink, who organizes the campaign for the local Marine Corps League detachment who sponsors it every year. “This year we are really hurting for funds to buy toys so if people would like to make a donation, they could make it to Toys for Tots and send it to my post office box.”

To make a donation, please send them to Carl Clink, P.O. Box 919, Cañon City, CO 81215. He will forward it to the foundation and put the funds on the credit card so the Marines Corps so he can buy toys for the campaign.

“It takes 48 hours to make that happen,” Clink said. “We will have Marine League members collecting toys at Walmart, depending on which way the pandemic goes.”

Drop boxes for toys are located at Walmart, City Market, Walgreens, Big R's, Tracker Supply, HomeSmart Real Estate and Trent Rundell All State Insurance in Cañon City. In Florence, the boxes are located at Dollar General, Louie's Place, Florence Elks Lodge, Two Sisters and Green Parrot.

“We usually don't start collecting toys this early, but due to the need, we are out there now,” Clink added. “We have our cash boxes throughout town. (People) can put money in it. All of it goes to buy toys. We are looking for new, unwrapped toys from babies to about 16.”

He thanked the Cañon Crusaders Chapter of Christian Motorcycle Association, who held their toy run, where they collected more than 100 toys.

Clink also noted if anybody wants to have a party to collect toys for the campaign, the League would provide a box for this year's campaign. Go to www.toysfortots.org and click on his name.

The distribution will either be a Toy Store or bagged for pickup on Dec. 17-18. People who register with Toys for Tots will receive communication to where and when to pick up toys.

“Toys never leave Fremont County, except for Custer County,” Clink said. “We cover two counties. They don't go to Denver, Colorado Springs or Pueblo.”

He reiterated those who would like toys to go to the website to register at www.toysfortots.org then click on Fremont or Custer County and fill out the form, providing descriptions of child's interests in the comment section.

For more information, call Clink at (951) 440-1465.