Toys for Tots/Gift for Teens serve over 600 area children

January 8, 2026

SCOTTVILLE — Over 600 area children received presents on Christmas morning through the 53rd annual Toys for Tots/Gifts for Teens distribution, held in partnership with FiveCAP Inc. and Synergy Broadcasting Group.

“This program helps parents, who may otherwise not be able to afford gifts, to provide a merrier Christmas for their children,” FiveCAP executive director Mary Trucks said.

In the weeks leading up to distribution, Trucks said she and the FiveCAP staff continued to be inspired by the generosity of the community.

“Each year, it’s really heartwarming to see how people give to the program. It truly helps these parents make happy memories with their children.”

From the abundant selection, parents were able to select age-appropriate toys/gifts, stocking stuffers, puzzles and a family game for their children.

Trucks recognized several companies that helped with the program: Ludington Meijer, Packaging Corp. of America in Filer City, Swidorski Brothers Excavating and Filer Mill Community Club.

“These are just to name a few”, said Trucks. “And we certainly cannot forget to thank our volunteers that helped with distribution and Santa’s elves from Interstate Glass who helped pick up the toys from area businesses. Also a big thank you to the Graystone Event Center and the Manistee VFW Walsh Post 4499 for their annual support and donation of space in hosting the distribution sites.”

______________________________

Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage

Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free local news. 

To sign up, email editor@mediagroup31.com. In the subject line write: Subscription. Please supply your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number (indicate cell phone). We will not share your information with any outside sources. For more than one email address in a household, the cost is $15 per month per email address.

We can send you an invoice for a yearly payment of $120, which you can conveniently pay online or by check. If you are interested in this method, please email editor@mediagroup31.com and we can sign you up. You can also mail a yearly check for $120 to Media Group 31, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454 (please include your email address).

Payment must be made in advance prior to subscription activation.

We appreciate all our readers regardless of whether they choose to continue to access our service for free or with a monthly financial support.

_____

This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.

Area Churches