Leelanau County Toys for Tots falls under the purview of NW Michigan Toys for Tots based in Traverse City which in turn falls under the purview of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
NW Michigan Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys for needy children throughout northwest lower Michigan including Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Those toys are turned over to resource agencies in each county, such as Salvation Army, Father Fred and many others, to be distributed to pre-qualified families.
All of the toys collected in Leelanau County through Dec. 15 will be given to Leelanau County children. Toys donated from Dec. 16-19 will be given to the NW Michigan Toys for Tots organization for distribution to other area counties in need of additional toys.
In 2013 Residents of Leelanau County donated 2,098 toys!
NW Michigan Toys for Tots fills our gaps as far as toys needed for specific age groups, and also gives funds to the Leelanau County Toys for Tots coordinators so that they can shop for toys. In addition, the Antrim County based Bikes for Tykes program supplied a number of new bicycles to the Leelanau County effort in 2013.
Toys for Tots does not accept used toys, homemade toys, clothing, school supplies or food.
The effort to give Christmas to area children will only succeed if our community works together. Leelanau County is blessed with individuals and businesses who care about our community and care about those who are less fortunate than themselves. We are counting on Leelanau County to once again provide Christmas gifts to needy children in our county.
We are most grateful that the Suttons Bay Schools Holiday concert will, hopefully, boost toy donations again this year. The concert will be held at Suttons Bay High School Auditorium on December 4th at 6:30PM. They ask that a new, unwrapped, toy be donated at the school, either on the night of the concert or during school hours. A toy donation box will be available at Suttons Bay School from November 10 to December 19.
Any questions about the Leelanau County Toys for Tots effort may be directed to Charlie or Karen Fredrickson at 231-271-3620.
New, unwrapped toys may be donated at these locations:
| Hansen Foods | 91 W. 4th St.Suttons Bay |
| Suttons Bay Dental Center | 1299 S. West Bay Shore DriveSuttons Bay |
| Edward Jones | 720 N. St. JosephSuttons Bay |
| Radio Shack | 325 St. JosephSuttons Bay |
| Prime Time Pub | 102 St. JosephSuttons Bay |
| 5/3 Bank | 120 N. St. JosephSuttons Bay |
| Tendercare Health Center of Leelanau | 124 W. 4th StreetSuttons Bay |
| HomeTown Pharmacy– | 321 B N St JosephSuttons Bay |
| Subway | 99 4th St. Suttons Bay |
| Princess and The Pirate and Fido Too | 217 St. JosephSuttons Bay |
| Knot Just A Bar | 5017 N. West Bay Shore Dr.Omena |
| Huntington National Bank | 122 E. NagonabaNorthport |
| Tom’s Market | 105 E. NagonabaNorthport |
| Leland Township Library | 203 E. CedarLeland |
| Huntington National Bank | 111 N. MainLeland |
| Bunek’s True Value Hardware | 422 Main St.Lake Leelanau |
| East Traverse Catholic Federal Credit Union | 209 St. Mary’sLake Leelanau
49653 |
| Leelanau Family Chiropractic | 208 W. MainLake Leelanau |
| Buntings Cedar Market | 9054 Kasson St.Cedar |
| MC Short Stop | 8634 S. Maple City RoadMaple City |
| Maple Valley Nursing Home | 1086 W. Burdickville Rd.Maple City |
| Cherry Republic | 6026 S. LakeGlen Arbor |
| Anderson’s Market | 6545 Western Ave.Glen Arbor |
| Bear Paw Pizza and Market | 6444 Western Ave.Glen Arbor |
| Boonedocks | 5858 S. Manitou Trail
Glen Arbor |
| Huntington National Bank | 10210 W. FrontEmpire |
| Taghon’s Garage | 12777 S. Benzonia TrailEmpire |
| TV 7&4 | 8513 M-72 WestTraverse City |
| Tom’s Market | 13940 S. West Bay Shore DriveTraverse City |
| WLDR Sunny Country | 13999 S. West Bay Shore DriveTraverse City |
| Great Lakes Children’s Museum | 13240 S. West Bay Shore DriveTraverse City |
| Elmwood Township Office | 10090 E. Lincoln RoadTraverse City |
| Suttons BayHigh School | 310 S. Elm St.Suttons Bay
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