A pair of Lehighton area businesses have collected toy donations to benefit the Schuylkill-Carbon Marine Corps League Detachment 626 annual Toys for Tots campaign.

The donations came from Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Lehighton, and Salon Indigo in Franklin Township, said Joe Balogach, member of the Schuylkill-Carbon Marine Corps League Detachment 626.

Danielle Andreas, owner of Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, said the employees were more than happy to support the cause.

“Overall, we love being able to give back to the community on a regular basis; this is a special down-home way to really support families during the holidays,” Andreas said. “It’s kind of just nice to be able to as a team bring in toys, grab a toy, put it in a bin, and the whole team gets behind it.”

Andreas noted that oftentimes they will match whatever the number their team has so they can double whatever they have in the bin.

“It’s so nice that the kids are taken care of during the holidays,” she said. “It’s tough times for people during certain stages of their lives, so we love helping out at Christmas to make it special for them.”

Balogach expressed his thanks to Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for the contributions.

“They have been giving us toys for the last (several) years,” Balogach said. “It helps us out a lot.”

Balogach also praised Salon Indigo for contributions.

“They collected toys,” he said. “This was their first year.”

Balogach said the collection was held on Dec. 9, and the toys were distributed Dec. 13.

He said there were a total of more than 400 bags filled with toys, and 297 families in all.

The Schuylkill-Carbon Marine Corps League is a veterans organization founded to continue the traditions and spirit of all Marines who proudly wear, or have worn. the eagle, globe and anchor of the corps.