JENKINS TOWNSHIP -- Adding donated toys to these big white boxes is something Ssgt. David Ciero looks forward to every year.
"It's a way that we can give back to the community by helping out families in need and children in need," Ssgt. Ciero said.
Once again the United States Marine Corps got a little extra help from area businesses.
Greiner Packaging, a company based out of Austria just moved into Mericle Commercial Real Estate Properties near Pittston this year.
"To know that we've been part as a company for Greiner to be here brand new in the area, but to know we can make a small contribution to help a family or some children is a wonderful thing," Radia Benetos from Greiner Packaging said.
Across the country and here in northeastern and central Pennsylvania, Christmas time can be a difficult time for families to go out and do some holiday shopping, but here in this warehouse facility you can see it's clear people in our area are still giving back.
"It just goes to show how awesome the community is and you know how much they actually care about the residents," Ssgt. Ciero said.
Last year more than 35,000 toys and gifts were collected for more than 20,000 children in northeastern Pennsylvania.
The toys are still coming in this year.
"There is always someone in need. I really didn't have the greatest life, so I have always felt the need to help other people and make their lives a little better," LCpl. Gerold Fassett said.
The toys from businesses at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Properties only add to the other toys collected from other area drop off sites.
Mericle hopes donations from its tenants continues to grow in years to come.
"This year they have really rallied and they have surpassed any year previous and next year we're going to come back even stronger, I think," Kathy Coslett of Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.
Mericle Commercial Real Estate has donated storage space to the United States Marine Corps for 16 years.
The facility allows the USMC to have a place to collect, prepare, and distribute toys to children during the holidays.
