Staff members at The Stadium GM Superstore in Salem were excited to usher in the start of the 9th annual Toys for Tots Marathon Toy Drive Monday. Pictured from left are Sales Associates John Benson and Jaime Bishop, Finance Manager Kevin Nestor, Columbiana County Toys for Tots Coordinator Scott Henthorne and Sales Associates Kate Demes and Nick Sharp. (Salem News photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM — Salem Stadium GM began its 9th annual Toys for Tots Marathon Toy Drive Monday.

“We’re excited to hold the event again. All of the employees here at Salem Stadium look forward to participating every year. We want to help all of the children who might not otherwise get gifts this Christmas,” said Columbiana County Toys for Tots Coordinator Scott Henthorne.

The drive will continue through Dec. 14 and will be picked up by the marines to begin distribution Dec. 14. Toys for Tots are seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys in their original packaging for children of all genders and ages.

Toys can be donated Stadium Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Last year the toy drive’s goal was to collect 500 toys for area children, which was reached successfully. This year Stadium aims to collect 1,000 toys for children in Columbiana County. Henthorne noted they hoped they could exceed that goal, saying “Each toy we’re able to collect is another child we can give to this Christmas.”

Shorty Navarro, owner of Stadium GM, himself a former marine, takes great pride in Stadium’s annual collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps for this fantastic event, and great pride in the support the community has shown for the event.

“The last few years, people from the community have come out and helped this toy drive be as big as possible. We hope they will continue to do so. Our goal for this drive is to help put smiles on some children’s faces this Christmas season. Christmas is all about giving. We are going to start off the drive with a large donation for area kids and we hope that others will join in and give to help us exceed our goal,” said Navarro in a press release.