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Dear Editor,

Christmas time was a lot brighter for children in our community because of the generosity of our citizens.  I would like to thank the many people and organizations that dropped off toys in the Toys for Tots Campaign.  Staff Sgt. Dan Bowler and his fellow Marines and the Eugene Sara Detachment, did an exceptional job this year in leading the charge to provide toys for our children this Christmas.

I would like to thank the many organizations that helped collect toys and work at the toy drop off site at MetraPark for our 24 hour marathon.  Thank you to Mike Mace and the Rocky Mountain College Football and Volleyball players, Billings Senior High Student Council and Drum Corp, Billings West Student Council (it was a great competition between Senior and West), Billings Central Student Council and Jane Ray, school librarian, Skyview HS, Huntley Project HS, Custer HS, Billings Fire Department, City of Laurel and Laurel Middle School, Goldwingers, Ellen Robison and Downtown Rotary members, MetraPark staff, Lonnie Bell, KTVQ-2, KULR 8, Billings Gazette and the many radio stations covering this event.

Also, thank you to the many 4-H clubs for the collection of toys, and the Chase Hawks members for allowing us to collect funds for the Toys for Tots.

It was amazing to me how many families shopped late at night and dropped off toys at MetraPark after midnight so we could meet the goal of over 26,000 toys for different programs in Yellowstone County. Last, but not least, Wal-Mart stores and staff played a large part in helping us meet our needs.

Thank you and God Bless to all of the generous people in this community.  Christmas time is for giving and you all made it happen.

Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County Commissioner