The Wood County Marine Corps League enjoyed some early success in its “Christmas in July” campaign for the Toys for Tots program on Friday, July 10, at S2 Marine’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting held in Quitman.
S2 Marine owner and Quitman City Alderman Steve Glenn invited attendees to “fill the boat” at the front of his showroom with toy donations that will be distributed to Wood County children this Christmas.
The summer push is part of a deliberate effort to raise awareness about the program, according to Steve Lucas, the Wood County Marine Corps League Toys for Tots coordinator.
“For the longest time we’ve been in the shadows,” Lucas said. “We’re wanting to step out more now and show how many organizations Toys for Tots supports.”
Lucas also explained how the local effort fits into the national program’s structure.
”The Marine Corps Reserve is tasked by the Marine Corps to do Toys for Tots,” he said.
Several businesses across the county are participating in “Christmas in July.” Eagle’s Nest Mini Golf in Winnsboro, T/Spine Chiropractic in Mineola, Winnsboro Health Services in Winnsboro, and Under the Magnolia Tattoo and Gallery in Lindale, along with S2 Marine in Quitman, will all accept toy donations throughout July. For those who’d rather raise money than shop, CowBurners BBQ & Taproom of Mineola is hosting a pub crawl on Saturday, July 25.
Owner Jason Herring has pledged to shave his beard if the event raises $7,500.
While all donations are welcome, Lucas said the Wood County Marine Corps League and Summer Santa are especially focused on gifts for kids ages 12 to 17.
“We ask for new and unwrapped toys for children from toddlers to age 17,” Lucas said.
“We are one of the only organizations in the county that supports ages 12 to 17, so we always have a gap in those preteen and teenage years.”
Lucas said electronics, earbuds, sports equipment, books, art supplies, cornhole sets, and video games and accessories are always welcome for that age group.
That gap was felt keenly at the close of last year’s season, according to Erika Binder, assistant coordinator for Wood County Toys for Tots.
“When last year’s Toys for Tots season ended, my heart was with the older children, ages 8 to 17, for whom we had just barely collected enough gifts,” Binder said.
“We closed the 2025 season with no toys in those age groups to carry over into 2026.” Binder said that shortfall is part of what motivated this year’s early start.
“Each year, we often have to hold those requests until the very end of the season, waiting to see what donations come in before taking a final shopping trip to fill the remaining need,” Binder said.
“My hope this year was simply to get a small head start by launching a Christmas in July campaign, but our community has given us so much more than that.”
Binder said the response from local businesses and families has been moving to watch.
“Every toy is more than just a gift, it tells a child they are loved, remembered, and deserving of the hope and joy that Christmas brings,” Binder said.
“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, we’re already off to a wonderful start toward making sure every request can be filled during the 2026 Toys for Tots season.”
Summer Santa and Ms. Santa, dressed in beachwear rather than their usual red suits, have already made appearances at events around the county, including Liberty Fest in Quitman and the America 250 celebration in Mineola. Lucas said the pair will keep making the rounds through July.
“Santa is on summer vacation, but he’s making appearances throughout July,” he said.
Santa and Ms. Santa are also expected at the July 25 pub crawl. Lucas said businesses or individuals interested in hosting their own toy drive don’t need to wait to be asked.
”If people want to become a donation location or hold a toy drive event, they can go online to Wood County Toys for Tots and make that request,” Lucas said.
Beyond the summer campaign, Lucas laid out just how far the local Toys for Tots effort reaches. Last year, the program supported 205 families which is a number Lucas was careful to correct.
“Last year we supported 205 families,” Lucas said. “Our website says 203, but we actually supported 205 because two families came after we had officially closed.”
The program’s reach extends well past individual households. Lucas said Toys for Tots partners with three public libraries, nine organizations, the Child Advocacy Center, the Rainbow Room, Christmas sharing organizations throughout the county, Angel Tree programs, and the county’s special needs program.
Children with special needs are given first pick of the donated books, since some “may need four or five copies of the same book or sensory-type books,” Lucas said.
Whatever comes in stays close to home.
”I really want to make it clear: whatever is donated in the county stays in the county,” he said. “The toys stay in the county. We do not send them anywhere else.”
The program runs on a set annual calendar.
“We open the program to the community on October 1 and close applications and distribution the second or third week of December so our volunteers can celebrate Christmas with their families,” Lucas said.
Lucas said the Marine Corps League welcomes anyone willing to pitch in, regardless of military background. “It’s anybody. If you have a heart to serve our veterans, that’s all we ask. You can be any branch of the service or no branch of the service.”
Lucas added that the League’s culture is built around teamwork rather than individual recognition.
”It’s a family. That’s why we’re big on it not being about any one person,” Lucas said.
For Lucas personally, the work is about continuing a life of service.
“Finding that purpose to still be a servant, not only to your country but to your community, the Marine Corps League has enabled that,” he said.
“Whatever the task is, whether it’s Toys for Tots or something else, you can see the tangible results in the community,” Lucas said.
He also pointed to the makeup of the League’s membership as a point of pride.
“It’s amazing to see how many members we have who are not Marines. To me, that’s a win, win, win.”
Donations can be dropped off at participating locations throughout July, and anyone interested in hosting a drive can register through Wood County Toys for Tots online at woodcounty-tx.toysfortots.org. Those wanting to raise funds instead can join the CowBurners pub crawl on July 25 in Mineola. For more information about Wood County Toys for Tots or the U.S. Marine Corps League, please email info@mineolamcl.com.