RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: Girl Scouts Lead Annual Toys for Tots Drive in East Lansing Schools

Approximately 300 East Lansing Girl Scouts will take part in an annual toy drive this December, making announcements in their schools, creating advertisements, sorting toys at the warehouse and encouraging friends and family to donate toys. Daisy Scout girls as young as five and as old as high school age Ambassadors have participated in the Toys for Tots drive for almost a decade. Last year alone, they helped fill eight collection bins for the organization.

Shawn Heiler leads seventh grade Troop 30375 at MacDonald Middle School and fourth grade Troop 30263 at Marble Elementary. In her ninth year as a troop leader, Heiler says “the girls inspire [her] with all their energy, ideas, and the questions they ask.” She explains that troops participate in several outreach opportunities throughout the year in addition to the Toys for Tots event. Each troop picks their own service project. Some have donated cookies to Haven House or collected food for local food banks.

This year, both of Heiler’s troops will coordinate with Marble Elementary Guidance Counselor Libby Keenan to provide food baskets for Marble families in need. Heiler’s fourth grade troop is also making pet toys and collecting dog food to donate to the Humane Society as part of their effort to earn their Bronze Award.

Students, families and community members may drop off their new, unwrapped toys for the Scouts’ toy drive now through December 10 at East Lansing High School, MacDonald Middle School, Glencairn, Marble and Pinecrest Elementary schools. Large, white Toys for Tots bins are located near the entrance to each building.     

East Lansing High School is located at 509 Burcham Drive

MacDonald Middle School is located at 1601 Burcham Drive

Glencairn Elementary School is located at 939 Harrison Road

Marble Elementary School is located at 729 Hagadorn Road

Pinecrest Elementary School is located at 1811 Pinecrest Drive  

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