After a two-year absence due to COVID, the Marine Toys for Tots campaign of northwest Michigan will kickoff this Saturday from noon-2pm at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa, who will arrive on a Garfield Township fire truck. A limited supply of Great Wolf Lodge waterpark passes will be available for those who bring a toy donation.

Campaign organizers are expecting a strong need for toys this year. Last year the campaign collected over 26,000 toys that were distributed to nearly 6,000 children in a five-county region surrounding Traverse City. 

The campaign works with nearly all human service agencies in Northwest Michigan, including the Father Fred Foundation, Salvation Army, Leelanau Christian Neighbors, Benzie Christian Neighbors, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and others. 

Now in its 75th year, the toy drive is part of a national campaign that was started by the Marine Corps Reserves.