Realtors begin collecting toys for needy tots




LET THE GIVING BEGIN—CSMAR co-presidents Liz Puliti and Peter Greer present the first donated toy to Marine Corps Corporal Nicholas Rosen, the Toys for Tots program representative.

LET THE GIVING BEGIN—CSMAR co-presidents Liz Puliti and Peter Greer present the first donated toy to Marine Corps Corporal Nicholas Rosen, the Toys for Tots program representative.

The Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of Realtors, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Reserve, is sponsoring its annual Toys for Tots charity drive throughout the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and Moorpark.

At the annual kickoff on Nov. 19, the association donated a variety of unwrapped toys and games. Colorful receptacles were distributed to real estate brokerage offices and schools as drop-off locations for public donations throughout the toy drive, which ends Dec. 19.

Toys for Tots aids local charitable organizations and social service agencies with the goal of helping children have a happier holiday.

Liz Puliti and Peter Greer, 2010 association co-presidents, presented this year’s first donated toy to Marine Cpl. Nicholas Rosen of the Inspector-Instructor Staff of Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines. The battalion is headquartered at Port Hueneme.

The original Toys for Tots program was founded in 1947 by Col. Bill Hendricks, who came up with the idea for Marine reservists to collect and repair old used toys to hand out to children in need. Today only new, unwrapped toys are accepted, and teens up to 18 years of age can participate.

Good choices include toys, stuffed animals, games, and ageappropriate books for younger children, and cologne, cosmetic items, sports equipment and ageappropriate books and games for the older recipients.

The local Toys for Tots effort was developed by retired Marine Col. Brent Davis more than two decades ago. He coordinated with the Marine Corps to develop the locally based program through the auspices of the Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of Realtors. For the past 24 years, Davis has served as the program’s co-chair. Association member and co-chair Beverly Pickrell is in charge of distribution.

The Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of Realtors was formed last year by a merger of the Conejo Valley Association of Realtors and the Simi Valley- Moorpark Association of Realtors. The main office is at 463 Pennsfield Place, Ste. 100, Thousand Oaks, with an additional office at 2051 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. For more information, call (805) 495-4681 or visit www .csmaor.com.

A Toys for Tots drop-off bin is also available to the public at The Acorn
offices at 30423 Canwood St. Ste. 108 in Agoura Hills.

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