By Michael Gelbwasser, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Northborough is more involved in the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots collection program this year.
The Northborough Police Station, at 211 Main St., has become the town’s fourth official drop off site for the drive, which is underway and runs through Dec. 14, Northborough Fire Capt. Robert Theve told the Board of Selectmen Nov. 24.
The other drop off sites are: the Northborough Fire Station, 11 Pierce St.; the Northborough Public Library, 34 Main St.; and the town administrator’s office at Northborough Town Hall, 63 Main St.
The fire department hopes to “meet or exceed” the more than 1,000 new, non-violent toys, unwrapped and in their original packaging, that were collected in Northborough in 2013, Theve said. The toys should be for ages 1 to 16.
“As always, we expect there will be a good need out there. While the economy is improving, there’s still some, and many folks in our county, that still need our support,” Theve said.
The drive isn’t limited to the municipal collection sites.
A Duie Pyle is conducting a drive at its warehouse, at 210 Bartlett St., Theve said.
They collect a fair amount of toys every year from all of their staff,” he said.
Northborough’s Fannie E. Proctor and Marion E. Zeh elementary schools will hold drives as well, Theve said. The Proctor school is at 26 Jefferson Road. The Zeh school is at 33 Howard St.
The Toys for Tots program is among a number of upcoming holiday programs in Northborough.
The Northborough Community Affairs Committee’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting is at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 in the town center, committee member Kair Tucker said.
The Hundredth Town Choir will sing during the event, Tucker said.
Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided, she said. And the Northboro House of Pizza will offer free pizza, “with a goodwill offering,” she said.
Also, the Ninth Annual Northboro Holiday Trolley will run from 12-5 p.m. that day.
The event sponsors are the community affairs committee and Northboro Local First, which is “a collaborative effort by local, independent small business owners, community members, nonprofit organizations and all stakeholders in the Northboro community to help build and maintain a vibrant local economy in Northboro,” according to its website.
Two trolleys – one on the east side, the other on the west — will bring people to Northborough businesses sponsoring the event, said Kimberly Reed, who is overseeing the program. The free trolley rides will depart from the plaza at 243 West Main St.
“All the businesses have their own events for the day,” Reed noted.
