Volunteers buy hundreds of toys for local Toys for Tots - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

Wisconsin volunteers are busy getting a big surprise ready forchildren in our area.

On Thursday, volunteers with Toys for Tots bought thousandsof dollars worth of Christmas presents. These presents will go to hundreds ofchildren in central Wisconsin.           

"It's a phenomenal program," saidBill Foniti. "Just thinking of the kids waking up that Christmas morning,running down to get a fresh toy, nothing like it."

Dozens of volunteers cleaned out the shelves at Shopko,buying hundreds of toys, for needy children.

Lance Cpl. David Wastart is one of the volunteers. But thisis extra special for the marine.

It's his chance to give back.

"Sometimes when my parents were in a little strugglefor money they'd go out and find some of these toys for tots," said Wastart. "Andthat just impacted us hugely. As a kid you always wanted a toy growingup."

Now he's able to pass that gift on to others.

Organizers saythe toys will be donated to Operation Bootstrap and the Salvation Army, andgiven to children in Portage County.

The presentswill then be handed out to the families next week.