ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Saturday, Marine Corps Detachment 444 hosted its fifth annual Fall Family Fun Day at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
The fee to enter was a donation of an unwrapped toy or money to the Delta-Menominee County Toys for Tots campaign.
“The first part of October is usually the timeframe when Toys for Tots kicks off for the year,” said Marine Corps toy coordinator John Jamison. “This is a great way to do it before the snow starts to fly and people can’t get out and do something fun.”
The main attraction was the Touch a Truck event. Local fire departments, law enforcement, and other businesses and organizations gave children an interactive experience with their vehicles.
One highlight was the Guardian Flight helicopter, which landed on the fairgrounds as the event began.
“We’re just showing our support and want to let everybody know that we’re part of this community and that we care what happens to this community,” said flight medic Eric LaCrosse. “We’re here to support them and their family members in their time of need.”
The City of Escanaba had several vehicles for kids to climb into, including trucks from the Electrical Department. Lineworkers set up a display of equipment and tools and handed out free books to teach kids about what they do every day.
“Kids aren’t interested in the trades like they used to be,” said apprentice lineman Travis Frazier. “It’s okay to work with your hands and not work in an office. It’s also good to teach kids about the brotherhood and what we do.”
Over the last four years, Fall Family Fun Day has raised approximately $10,000 for the local Toys for Tots program.
“In times like these, to see the community come together and be part of something bigger than themselves and come together to give toys to children who might not otherwise get them on Christmas Day, I think it’s huge,” Jamison said. “You can tell from the turnout that people are still very interested in raising money for such a worthy cause.”
Jamison appreciates every organization and business that contributed to this year’s Fall Family Fun Day, whether in the weeks leading up to it or on the day of the festivities.
“I’d like to thank the local businesses for allowing us to put collection boxes in their businesses,” he said. “We could not do this without the community taking part.”
To contact Delta-Menominee Toys for Tots about making a donation, email toysfordeltamenominee@toysfortots.org. Click here to find the Delta or Menominee County campaigns on the official Toys for Tots website.
Tune in to WZMQ 19 News on Monday, October 9 to see all of the action from Fall Family Fun Day.
