Most of us were stuck inside last weekend considering the weather outside. In Troup County, it rained nearly all of Saturday and Sunday, causing most — if not all — outdoor plans to be cancelled.

But if you had to make a quick run to Walmart, you were likely met by a first responder or a member of the local Marine Corps League, who were working hard through the cold and rain to raise money for Toys for Tots. 

The volunteers usually stand outside the store’s front doors, but spent most of their time this weekend right inside the store, asking for donations and giving away peppermints. Volunteers included the men and women from the LaGrange Police Department, Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Troup County Fire Department, LaGrange Fire Department, Hogansville Police Department, American Medical Response, Georgia State Patrol and high school students.

Tunes for Tots was also held on Saturday night at Main Street Pub, with local musicians coming together to raise money.

We’re sure the first responders and musicians had plenty of things they needed to do this weekend, but instead they came together to raise money for the community.

All the toys and money raised will stay within Troup County and go to children in this community. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 21.6 percent of Troup County lives in poverty, well above the state average of 14.9 percent.

That means there’s plenty of families that could use a lot of help buying Christmas for their kids this year, and the Marine Corps and local first responders are helping fill that need.

We want to thank everyone that donated a toy or money for this year’s Toys for Tots drive. All of the generosity is going to mean a lot on Christmas morning, when area children will have a present to open under the tree.

Most importantly, we want to thank the Marine Corps League for all of its hard work this year. Starting early in the fall, they work almost non-stop to ensure that local children have a merry Christmas each year.