The U-Haul truck is reserved and LINC’s Carl Wade is standing by, awaiting orders from the U.S. Marines.

The mission: Help the Corps deliver the gifts of the Marine Toys for Tots program to families in LINC’s Caring Communities.

“We’ve been a partner for years,” said Wade, LINC Program Specialist. “They (the Marines) know the work we do. We’re in the schools. We’re in the community.”

LINC was one of 150 organizations statewide that the Marines chose to distribute the annual collection of toys into Missouri communities.

Now LINC site coordinators that lead some of the more than 50 LINC Caring Communities programs are launching plans for toy deliveries over the next 10 days.

“Those coordinators are determined to serve their families to help them have a good Christmas,” Wade said. “We’re going to see a lot of toy drive-throughs, pick-ups at schools and (door-to-door) deliveries. They’re going to be creative with it.”

LINC was sure to apply early and got an early approval to participate in the 2020 Toys for Tots campaign because LINC staff have been working with their partner schools during the pandemic to support children and families and they have witnessed their stress.

The site coordinators have been the front line for schools as they reach out to families struggling with online learning, nutrition needs, rent and utility bills and other difficulties.

“It’s a need every year,” Wade said about the Toys for Tots program. “But with the pandemic, there is greater need. Many people have lost their jobs. They’re struggling with paying utilities.”

To learn more about LINC’s Toys for Tots efforts, email Wade at cwade@kclinc.org.