The Wood County Marine Corps League wrapped up another successful Toys for Tots (TFT) campaign, serving 2,000 Wood County children and their families.

Coordinator Steve Lucas said that each child received a book, a game, a large toy, a small toy and a stocking stuffer.

It’s a massive effort, and one that couldn’t be accomplished without a lot of help from the community.

The Wood County detachment, which serves as the local supporter for the nationwide campaign under the auspices of Marine Corps Reserves and Marine Corps League detachments, placed more than 100 toy donation boxes at locations around the county to collect new, unwrapped toys.

Among local organizations supported by TFT were the Angel Trees, caring and sharing programs in Mineola, Quitman and Hawkins and the Northeast Texas Children’s Advocacy Center.

Lucas said it is a big logistical operation, with almost 15,000 items.

Chubby’s Trading Post north of Mineola was one of the many supporters, offering office and storage space.

The Mineola Railers Square Dance Club is another supporter, with a donation of more than $2,000.

Cowburners in Mineola helps coordinate the Christmas pub crawl downtown which brings in hundreds of toys.

New this year was an event at the Mineola Country Club that also netted many donations.

By raising awareness of the many contributions the local detachment makes to the community, Lucas hopes to attract more volunteers who can help with the various projects, and also to help the group achieve its dream of having its own facilities.

One way it’s seeking to grow is by including all branches of service, not just ex-Marines.

That has created more diversity and interest, Lucas noted. Wood County’s is one of only a handful in the nation that invites all branches.

A list of those other endeavors of the detachment is wide-ranging.

It helped start the Wreaths Across America program in Wood County, which has expanded to include seven cemeteries where Christmas wreaths are placed on the graves of all veterans.

The local detachment awards scholarships to two graduating seniors in Wood County.

It puts on two annual events for veterans – a hog hunt and a day of fishing.

It helps host the monthly veterans breakfast at the First United Methodist Church in Quitman, partnering with the They Got Your 6 Foundation.

The league partners with veterans organizations as much as possible, such as the annual veterans day parade in Mineola along with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

A veterans golf tournament held at the Links at Lands End serves the dual purpose of offering fellowship for veterans and as one of the league’s biggest fundraisers, along with its 30 guns in 30 days raffle.

League members are also looking forward to the annual Marine Corps ball, held each November. This will mark the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.

A lesser-known way that the league assist veterans is through its Carry On program, which continues to assist the families of veterans who have passed on with a variety of needs.

The detachment meets monthly on the third Tuesday in the classroom at Armed Texans, 369 County Road 2784, Mineola, with a meal at 6 p.m. and meeting at 7.

Learn more about the local detachment and find ways to get involved with their projects at woodcountymcl.com.