Around a hundred children participated in the second annual Toys for Tots at the Theo Ratliff Activity Center (TRAC) on Dec. 18. All participants are also involved with the center’s after-school tutoring program.

“This is just a way to reward our kids for a long year of working hard,” said Edward Ward, who is the director of the TRAC.

Ward said that the tutoring program’s goal is to “enrich the kids academically.” Students also receive recreational time in the program.

“It’s unique to have these kids under our umbrella here and to see them learn and grow and to monitor their activity. They’re not out unsupervised. They’re here in a controlled environment.”

Toys for Tots is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve and is a program that distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them Christmas gifts. The event at the TRAC was sponsored by the Montgomery campaign, which provided the toys that were distributed.

Ward also thanks United Way of West Alabama and the Black Belt Community Foundation for their assistance with TRAC’s Toys for Tots event.

For more information or to make a donation to the TRAC, call Edward Ward at 334-289-2200 or 334-341-1318.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, December 23 issue of the Demopolis Times.)