Manatee County Marine Corps delivers toys Christmas Eve

MANATEE -- Last year, Mike Monteleone, along with other members of the Marine Corps League Desoto Detachment 588, delivered presents until 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve and this year, they are expecting to do the same.

"You only get one Christmas a year so we got to do it," the Marine Corps League Desoto Detachment 588 commandant said Thursday morning. "We don't stop until they all have a toy."

On Christmas Eve, the Marine Corps League bunker in Bradenton was filled with toys collected through Manatee County Toys for Tots as the Marine Corps prepared to deliver the toys to the Florida Department of Children and Families in Palmetto. The Marine Corps has also been delivering toys directly to Manatee County families.

Watching a family member's reaction after toys are delivered keeps the Marine Corps going, said Mike McClain, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Manatee County.

"That's what Marine Corps is all about," he said, adding that all the toys go to families in Manatee County. "When we see veterans and people that have lost everything and single mothers that just can't make ends meet, that's the best part of what we do."

Last year, Manatee County Toys for Tots delivered about 48,000 toys and McClain was confident Christmas Eve that they will pass that number this year. McClain said they try to get every child in need three toys.

"No needy child within our reach is going to go without a toy," he said. But Monteleone said the need seemed greater this year.

"There are a lot of people in need this year," he said.

Several events throughout Manatee County have helped supply the toys for Manatee County Toys for Tots. More than 1,000 toys were collected through the Manasota Truck Night at the DeSoto Speedway on Dec. 12.

"We give back to the community," said Marc Kassel, one of the coordinators of the Manasota Truck Night. "There are families that need toys. The truck community goes out and helps out."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 12:04 PM with the headline "Manatee County Marine Corps delivers toys Christmas Eve ."