SCRANTON, Pa. — This is year 14 for Stuff the Bus, Toys for Tots edition, put on by the County of Lackawanna Transportation System COLTS and the U.S. Marine Corps.
To date, they have collected a little over $37,000 and 11,474 toys for this cause, partnering with different businesses and organizations throughout Lackawanna County to collect enough presents so every child has something to open up on Christmas Day.
Last year they collected $7,000 and 1,832 toys, and they want to go even bigger this year.
While the donation boxes have been out since last month, Thursday wraps up the last day of donating.
It's a tradition Una David from the COLTS Advisory Committee says is even bigger this year.
"We got rid of the trolley this year, and this bus, our new bus, is bigger than the trolley, so a bigger bus means more toys," David said.
Toys will help guarantee every child in Lackawanna County has something new to open on Christmas Day.
Sgt. Jason Dombrosky and his fellow U.S. Marines spend the entire holiday season working toward this mission.
"We service nine counties; Lackawanna has a great need. It's larger than the other seven counties, including Luzerne County. This year, we have about 1,700 children," Sgt. Dombrosky said.
For these Marines, it's also about spreading Christmas cheer this December.
"Whether or not you believe your toy will make an impact, it will make an impact for a child this Christmas. It will be there for them when they unwrap their gifts on Christmas morning. We try to give at least two toys to each child. We usually push up to three to five," Sgt. Dombrosky added.
There is still time to donate.
"Our main need right now to fill the orders that we already have are ages 9 to 14, both boys and girls."
The bus not only stores the presents but helps Santa deliver them to families in need.
"It's more than just a bus service. A lot of bus drivers and the staff and management have children of their own. And they understand how important it is to make sure that on Christmas morning, kids wake up with gifts and Christmas cheer," David added.
Stuff the Bus with Toys for Tots will be accepting both monetary and toy donations outside the Lackawanna Transit Center until 6 p.m. Thursday.
If you would like to donate, here is the list of toy drop-off locations:
- Allegiance Trucks, 1006 Underwood Road, Olyphant
- Amadeo’s, 4001 Birney Ave, Moosic
- Auto Parts of Scranton, 601 Wyoming Ave, Scranton
- City Hall, Scranton
- DaVinci Pizza on the Square, 505 Linden Street, Scranton
- Downtown Deli and Eatery, 300 Biden Street, Scranton
- Lackawanna County Courthouse, Scranton
- Lackawanna County Government Building, Scranton
- Lucca Restaurant, 802 S Main Street, Taylor
- NEPA Builders, 2808 Scranton Carbondale Hwy, Blakely
- Northeast Rehab, 5 Morgan Hwy, Scranton
- Northern Light Espresso Bar and Café, 536 Biden Street, Scranton
- Pine Line Auto, 151 Scranton Carbondale Hwy, Eynon
- Scranton DPW, 101 W Poplar Street, Scranton
- Scranton Fire Department Headquarters, 518 Mulberry Street, Scranton
- Scranton Fire Department Engine #2, 500 Gibbons Street, Scranton
- Scranton Fire Department Engine #7, 1917 Luzerne Street, Scranton
- Scranton Fire Department Engine #8, 205-207 W Market Street, Scranton
- Scranton Fire Department Rescue #1, 940 Wyoming Ave, Scranton
- Scranton Fire Department Truck #4, 1047 N Main Ave, Scranton
- Sherwood Freightliner, 107 Monohan Ave, Dunmore
- Stafursky Auto Parts, 11 Kennedy Drive, Archbald
- The Lounge, 1024 Jackson Street, Scranton
- Zummo’s Café, 916 Marion Street, Scranton