Marine Corps, Salvation Army to begin registration for programs

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By Theresa Bries | Thursday, October 30, 2008 10:51 PM CDT | () comments

As many are focused on Halloween and elections, two local organizations are already thinking about December.

The Marine Corps and The Salvation Army are gearing up to begin registration of children and others for holiday gifts next week.

Toys for Tots registration will begin Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 14 at 2090 Cumberland Square, Bettendorf. Applicants should bring a phone number, photo identification, parent’s Social Security card, child’s birth certificate or medical card, and proof of residency such as a phone or heating bill.

Toy donors will be able to find a list of donation sites at qctoysfortots.org beginning Friday, according to Marine Corps staff sergeant Gene Costello. Donors can also call warehouse at

(563) 441-7588 for information.

Costello said toys for very young children (newborn to 2) and for 10-12 year olds are particularly needed. For the young ones, learning toys for various developmental stages are the best, Costello said. For tweens, Costello suggested small hand-held games, basketballs, footballs and jewelry boxes.

Another local agency, The Salvation Army, is also accepting registrants for its holiday assistance programs, Angel Tree, Toy Shoppe and food baskets. Applicants can sign up at 3400 W. Central Park, Davenport, or 2200 5th St., Moline, from Nov. 3-26.

Sign up times are 1-6 p.m. Mondays; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. In addition, the Moline location will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8; and 2-6 p.m. Nov. 22.

Applicants must bring photo identification for self, recent proof of address, Social Security card for all adults, certified birth certificates or medical cards for all minors, proof of income and copies of utility bills or rental agreements.

Donors also are needed to select names and purchase gifts for trees at seven Quad-City locations: NorthPark and SouthPark Malls, Gander Mountain, Davenport and Wal-Mart in Davenport, Moline and Silvis beginning Nov. 28. Unwrapped gifts from wish lists must be returned to trees by Dec. 11.

Holly Nomura, Salvation Army development director, also mentioned that toys for 12 year olds, the oldest to receive toys from the organization are most needed. In addition to clothing, older children want things such as MP3 players, digital cameras, and electronic journals, said Nomura.

“If someone can help make an older child’s Christmas special, that would mean a lot,” she said.

In addition to giving financially, volunteers can help out with bell ringing by signing up at ringbells.org; package food baskets from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 13 at Heritage Temple, 2200 5th Ave., Moline; or escort parents as they choose toys and clothing in Toy Shoppe from 9 a.m. to

4 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at Heritage Temple or Davenport Corps, 3400 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport.

To learn more about volunteer jobs or sign up, call Nomura at (563) 324-4804.

“We’re anticipating more (applicants) than ever before. We’ll have to see what happens. We know the Quad-City community will be generous,” said Nomura. She noted that response to this year’s direct mail solicitations has been good. “So far, we have seen no decline in donations.”

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.