Parkville High Aims To Top 2,000 Toys

It's that holiday time of year again and is launching an effort to collect thousands of toys for children in need.

The Parkville High School drive on behalf of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation runs through Dec. 14 and the goal is to collect at least 2,035 toys, beating last year's total by at least one.

"The kids are really excited about it, they're making announcements every other day. They're involved and they're liking it," said Parkville High spokeswoman Lexa Newman.

"Unfortunately, we haven't had much participation from outside the school," Newman said. The toy drive, sponsored by the Class of 2014, began Nov. 7.

This year, to make it easier for the community to get involved and make donations, the school has forged partnerships with local businesses.

Donors can drop off toys at Walgreens, 9616 Harford Road, or at Bally Total Fitness behind the Avenue in White Marsh.

Toys can also be dropped off at Parkville High School between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., on school days.

"Last year we collected 2,034 toys. This year, we want to collect 2,035 or more. We collected so many toys last year that by the time the Marine  Corps could get here to pick them up, they couldn't distribute them all," Newman said.

Last year, in addition to providing toys to Toys for Tots, toys were donated to homeless shelters and single-parent families in the Parkville area.

The drive, which is normally operated by school's chapter of Marines Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, was taken over by the Class of 2014 this year. That's because construction at the school has left the JROTC, temporarily located in a portable classroom, short on storage space.

"[JROTC] is supporting us in that some of the kids who want to volunteer are volunteering, the whole of Parkville High School is involved in it though," Newman said.

Some teachers are offering to match donations offered up by students, she said.