Toys for Tots donations needed in Sonoma

The 70th anniversary campaign of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is now in full swing in Sonoma Valley.

Toy donations are needed this year more than ever due to the devastating economic affect the recent wildfires have had on many young families with kids this upcoming holiday season, say local organizers. The toy drive seeks to help Sonoma families first.

New toy donations are being accepted now through Dec. 16 at the following Sonoma Valley businesses:

Alain Pinel Realtors located at 552 Broadway in Sonoma.

B.R. Cohn Winery located at 15000 Sonoma Highway in Glen Ellen.

Buena Vista Winery located at 18000 Old Winery Road in Sonoma

Moldovan Academy, Inc. located at 275 E. Spain St. directly behind Trinity Episcopal Church in Sonoma.

Off Broadway Cleaners located at 19485 Sonoma Highway in Sonoma.

Pacific Union International Real Estate located at 135 W. Napa St., Suite 200 in Sonoma.

Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza located at 678 W. Napa St. in Sonoma.

Rabobank located at 10 Maple St. in Sonoma.

Robledo Family Winery located at 21901 Bonness Road in Sonoma.

Sebastiani Theatre located at 476 First St. E. in Sonoma (December 16 only)

Seven Flags of Sonoma Mobile Home Park located at 1400 W. Watmaugh Road in Sonoma.

Sonoma Chevrolet located at 687 W. Napa St. in Sonoma.

Sonoma Fit located at 193 Sonoma Highway in Sonoma.

Sonoma Valley Tech located at 19485 Sonoma Highway, Suite C in Sonoma.

Staples located at 977 W. Napa St. in Sonoma.

Starbucks Coffee located in the Maxwell Village Shopping Center at 19239 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma.

Synergy Dental Group – Dr. Kimberly Hubenette located at 660 Third St. W. in Sonoma.

The Toy Shop located within the Marketplace Shopping Center, 201 W. Napa St. suite 1 in Sonoma.

Valley of the Moon Trap Club at 27000 Burndale Road in Sonoma

Verizon Wireless Cell Depot located at 294 W. Napa St. in Sonoma.

Vintage Sonoma Senior Living located at 91 Napa Road in Sonoma.

Walt Wines located at 380 First St. W. in Sonoma.

The toy drive will end on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m., when kids of all ages and their families are invited to attend a matinee screening of the animated feature “Finding Dory.” The screening is a sequel to the 2003 film “Finding Nemo” and will take place at the Sebastiani Theatre. The only admission price will be a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots toy drive in the Sonoma Valley. Marines in dress blues will collect the toys at the door. Santa Claus is scheduled to make a guest appearance following the movie.

If there is a local family in need, the program will make sure they get a toy. Those looking to suggest a local recipient should email their request to bryan.aubin@gmail.com or phone 933-8997.

Toys not distributed to families in the Sonoma Valley are taken to Santa Rosa where the Marine Corps Reserve distributes them to the needy.

The toy drive campaign is being locally coordinated in conjunction with the Marine Corps League Detachment #686 in Santa Rosa.

Sonoma residents Bryan and Shauna Aubin are the 2017 Toys For Tots Campaign co-chairs for the Sonoma Valley.

For more information about the Toys for Tots Foundation visit ToysForTots.org.