December 14 , 2006 – Every year Southbridge Savings Bank takes in a large amount of toy donations for Toys for Tots and this year was no exception. In addition to having a large collection of toys the Bank also raised $450 in collections from customers.

" I think this is the largest toy collection I have seen here," stated Jill Motyka, Chairperson for the Charitable Activities Committee. “This year we also had help from a daycare. They have been collecting toys for weeks and we wanted them to be a part of the presentation to the Marines today.”

" The children really had an opportunity to see what the Holiday’s are all about,” stated Karen from Karen & Barbara’s Daycare. “They were excited to collect toys knowing that they would be going to little boys and girls that needed them."

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The primary goal is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. For more information about the Toys for Tots program visit them online at www.toysfortots.org.

Southbridge Savings Bank currently has 13 convenient locations located throughout Central and Western Massachusetts, with seven branches open seven days a week. For more information about Southbridge Savings Bank please call 1-800-939-9103 or visit them on the web at www.southbridgesavingsbank.com.