Release #124-11

GAME COMMISSION PARTICIPATES IN USMC ‘TOYS FOR TOTS’ PROGRAM

     HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that the agency is again participating in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves’ "Toys for Tots" program by opening the doors of the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters to serve as a drop-off collection site.

     The Game Commission’s office is at 2001 Elmerton Avenue in Susquehanna Township, just off of Progress Avenue. (For those using mapping devices, the mailing address is Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.) Donations will be accepted until noon on Friday, Dec. 9, at which time all items will be taken to the USMC’s central collection facility for distribution to area children.

     "During the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s more than 100 years, we have been honored to have many men and women who served in the United States armed forces, including the U.S. Marine Corps, as part of our workforce," Roe said. "It is in their honor that we serve as a collection site for the Toys for Tots program.

     "We recognize it is important to share with those in need. And, much like our hunters support programs to help feed their fellow Pennsylvanians through the Hunters Sharing the Harvest, we want to support a program that has been around for 60 years to make sure that disadvantaged children are not forgotten at Christmas time."

     Roe encouraged hunters who visit the agency’s headquarters to purchase their licenses prior to the bear and deer seasons, or employees in office complexes along Elmerton Avenue, to consider bringing a toy to donate to deserving children.

     In addition to serving as a collection point for the program, for the fifth year, Roe announced that the agency was donating stuff black bears to the Toys for Tots program.

     "Each of these 30 stuffed animals has a small tag with a bit of information about our black bears," Roe said. "The black bear is just one of the 467 species of wild mammals and birds that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is responsible for managing. We hope that these stuffed animals will provide those who receive them some joy this season, as well as help them learn about this important part of Pennsylvania’s wildlife community."