City Hall Gets Decorations For 4th Annual Toys For Tots

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – The holiday season is arriving early for hundreds of local underprivileged children as part of City Council President Bernard C. Young's 4th Annual Toys for Tots holiday reception.

Armed with a few of Santa's dedicated helpers, Council President Young is going to transform City Hall's normally quiet rotunda into a Christmas dream with hundreds of bicycles, Easy Bake Ovens, basketballs, footballs, baby dolls and table-top soccer sets beneath a massive tree and surrounded by food and music.

Thanks to the generosity of local corporations, Young was able to purchase hundreds of toys, like LEGO sets and skateboards, which will be on display during a holiday reception at City Hall on Wednesday, December 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. before being collected by U.S. Marines to distribute throughout the city.

During the reception, members of the general public are invited to bring one new, unwrapped children's toy to gain admission to the event and enjoy live music and delicious food from some of Baltimore's best restaurants.

"Every year this event gets bigger and better and this year is no exception," Young said. "During this holiday season this is one small way for us all to make a difference in a child's life."

The Toys for Tots holiday reception represents a part of the ongoing P.L.A.Y. (Productive Lives, Active Youth) campaign, which provides Baltimore's youth with opportunities to strengthen their self-confidence, develop leadership skills, learn from positive role models, and be rewarded for their academic achievements.