For the 13th year the Chevy All-Stars and the Salem Stadium GM Superstore are teaming up with the United States Marine Corps to collect toys for Columbiana County Children with a Toys for Tots toy drive. This year’s toy drive officially kicked off Wednesday and will continue through Dec. 15. Shown from left are Sales Representative Chris Jaevcak, Inventory Manger Chris Tittle, Toys for Tots Coordinator and Electric Vehicle Specialist Scott Henthorne and Sales Representatives Kate Demes, and Nick Sharpe. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM — The Chevy All-Stars and the Salem Stadium GM Superstore are now hosting their 13th annual Toys for Tots marathon toy drive.

This year’s toy drive officially kicked off Wednesday and will continue through Dec. 15, and is seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys in their original packing for children ages 0 to 18 to benefit families in need this Christmas. The cost of the donated toys doesn’t matter; they simply need to be new in their original packaging and unwrapped.

Toys can be donated at The Stadium GM Superstore at 292 West State Street on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. With last year’s toy drive successfully reaching its goal of 750 toys, this year Stadium is hoping to collect 1,000 toys. The toys will be collected by the United States Marine Corps on Dec. 16.

Toys for Tots Coordinator and Electric Vehicle Specialist Scott Henthorne said that everyone at Salem Stadium looks forward to hosting the annual toy drive. He also said that as a former Marine himself, the Marine backed Toys for Tots program “is near and dear” to Salem Stadium Owner Shorty Navarro’s heart.

“The last few years, people from the community have come out and helped this toy drive be as big as possible. We hope they will continue to do so. Our goal for this drive is to help put some smiles on some children’s faces this Christmas season,” said Navarro. “Christmas is all about giving and we are going to start off the drive with a large donation for area kids and we hope that others will join in and give to help us exceed our goal.”

While the drive is collecting toys for kids of all ages, Henthorne noted that items for older kids, like those ages 11-18, are typically donated less often. He said that items like board games, puzzles, or sports balls like footballs or soccer balls, which can be enjoyed with both family and friends make good donations for older children in need. Henthorne also said that all the toys donated through the annual toy drive would stay in Columbiana County and would be distributed to local families in need.