It's the most wonderful time of the year...and it's the busiest time of the year for the local Marine Reserves and the Toys for Tots program. 

Brian Crews, local Toys for Tots director and coordinator, says that volunteers have been out and about spreading the message of the need for toys for kids in Angelina and Trinity counties.  New, unwrapped toys or monetary donations are encouraged.

There are several events coming up to help boost the effort.

On December 10th, the 2nd annual Toys for Tots Bass Tournament will be taking place on Lake Sam Rayburn.  The entry fee is two new toys (one for a girl and one for a boy).  Forms and details are at Tri Lakes Tackle at 4106 Highway 69 South.

On December 9th and 10th, the Marine Reserves will be commandeering the parking lot at the Walmart Supercenter in Lufkin for their annual two day toy drive.  East Texans are asked to drop off their donations and it won't be hard to spot the drop off point as the Marines will be bringing in their 5 ton transport vehicle as well as a 12,000 pound World War II era cannon.

There are also many drop off locations at area businesses:

Toy donation locations in Angelina County:
Premier KIA
Regions Bank, all branches
Brookshire Bros. stores
Lufkin ISD  Administration Office
Citizens National Bank
Dollar General Stores
Woodland Heights Hospital
Loving Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Lincoln
Southern Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep
Tractor Supply
Americas Car Mart
Southland Federal Credit Union
East Texas Power Sports
Verizon Wireless
Lyons LP Gas
Angelina County Real Estate Offices
Community Title
Angelina Title
S&G Title
Sassy Red's
Commercial Bank of Texas, all branches
Regions Bank, all branches
GENCO Credit Union
Massingills Meat Market
Charanza Law Firm
Al Meyer Ford
Huntington State Bank Branches
JM Chevrolet
Ross Motor Sports
Wright Buick
Angelina Savings Bank
Lufkin Federal Credit Union
St. Pauls United Methodist Church
Chili's Lufkin
East Tex Printing
Townsquare Media Offices
Billy Lees Locksmith
Freedom Homes
Huntington State Bank, all branches
Standpipe Coffe House
Restoration Wine Bar
Family Dollar, Central store location
Sound Techs
Hammer Equipment
Lufkin Federal Credit Union
Alvey Chiropractic
Burkes Outlet
Palm Harbor Homes
Angelina County Teachers Credit Union
Austin Bank

Toy donation locations in Trinity County
Brookshire Bros. Trinity
B&B Groveton
Josserand Independent Baptist Church, Groveton
McClains Hardware, Groveton
Dollar General Groveton
Trinity Pines Baptist Church
First National Bank, Trinity
Joseph's
Firehouse Pizza
Grand Central
Wilkison
VFW Post
Trinity Jr. High School
Trinity High School
Los Panchitos
El Rancho Veijo
Dollar General, Trinity
Trinity Cafe
Lansberry
356 VFD
Trinity County Tax Office, Groveton B & B, B & B Express in Apple Springs, Groveton Dollar General, Josserand IBChurch, Groveton Methodist Church, Groveton Church of Christ, Groveton Jr. High.

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