For the past several years I have worked in partnership with local radio station North Shore 104.9 FM to conduct a month long toy drive to benefit children of the North Shore, and on Thursday, December 11th we will be broadcasting live from 6:00am-6:00pm throughout the North Shore for one final push to collect toys before the holidays.  This year we hope to collect more toys than we have in the past due to the increase in need.

Toys collected will all be provided to the charities in the communities from which they are donated.  Some of those charities include Neighbors in Need, Beverly Bootstraps, Action, Inc., Pathways for Children, and others.  I’d like to encourage all of my constituents to stop by at one of the locations and join in on the festivities.  The day will include music, interviews of state and local officials, food, and special guests.  All are welcome to attend and to even take pictures with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus!

Posted below is the press release that I released.  It contains a complete schedule and toy drop-off locations.  I hope to see you on the 11th!

North Shore 104.9 & Senator Bruce Tarr Hit the Road for 19^th Annual North Shore Holiday Toy Drive

Toy Drive Expected to Collect Thousands of Toys for Charities on the North Shore

Beverly- With the need for toys at an all-time high for local children, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and North Shore 104.9 will once again broadcast live all day from nine locations on the North Shore to collect as many toys, gift cards, and monetary donations as possible to fulfill that need.

This year’s Holiday Toy Drive will take place on Thursday, December 11th from 6:00am to 6:00pm. The live broadcast will feature local entertainment, school choirs and bands, great food, and interviews with local officials.  Even Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be lending a helping hand to support the cause!  Dawson’s True Value Hardware of Beverly and Topsfield has partnered with Senator Tarr and North Shore 104.9 to present the 19th annual North Shore Holiday Toy Drive broadcast.

“The holiday season gives us all a chance to show just how much we care about our neighbors and the children in our communities,” said Senator Tarr.  “By joining together this year as we have in the past we can make a real difference in the lives of children who need to know that we think it’s important for them to have a happy holiday.  It’s about more than a just toy; it’s about knowing they’re not forgotten.”

North Shore 104.9 President Todd Tanger stated, “We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event. The North Shore Holiday Toy Drive is such an exciting event that brings holiday joy to deserving children right here in the North Shore. We thank everyone for their overwhelming generosity and kind contributions, especially Bruce Tarr for his continued efforts and energy year after year. We appreciate listeners and clients allowing us to break from normal programming to broadcast this event and hope they help us bring some holiday joy to the lives of children on the North Shore this holiday season.”

The scheduled broadcast locations are as follows (times are subject to change):

6:00am Capitol Diner 431 Union Street, Lynn, MA

Toys being collected for: Family and Children’s Service of Greater Lynn

7:30am Salem State University 71 Loring Ave, Salem, MA

Toys being collected for: Mass General for Children at North Shore Medical Center

9:00am Flint Public Library, Middleton 1 South Main Street, Middleton, MA

Toys being collected for: Neighbors in Need

10:30am Dawson’s True Value Hardware 50 Enon Street, Beverly, MA

Toys being collected for: Beverly Bootstraps

12:00pm First Ipswich Bank 31 Market Street, Ipswich, MA

Toys being collected for: Action Inc./ Ipswich Caring

1:15pm Woodman’s of Essex 121 Main Street, Essex, MA

Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

2:00pm Manchester Athletic Club 8 Atwater Avenue, Manchester, MA

Toys being collected for: Pathways for Children of Gloucester

3:30pm Shalin Liu Performance Center 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA

Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

5:00pm Cape Ann Savings Bank 109 Main Street, Gloucester, MA

Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

In addition to the above broadcast locations, the locations below are welcoming any and all donations for the Annual North Shore Holiday Toy Drive. Please note that North Shore 104.9 will not be broadcasting from the below locations:

∗Cruiseport Gloucester

∗Cape Ann Savings Bank, Manchester

∗Marblehead Community/Aging Center

∗Marblehead Police Department

∗Abbott House, Lynn

∗Rosewood House, Peabody

∗Devereux House, Marblehead

*Align Credit Union, Danvers

∗First Ipswich Bank: Essex, Rowley, Gloucester

∗Honey Dew Donuts, Danvers

∗Delande Lighting, Salem

∗Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce

∗MAC (Manchester Athletic Club) Gloucester, Rowley

*Delande Lighting, Salem

∗Wenham Museum

*Dawson’s True Value Hardware, Topsfield

∗Additional toy donation locations listed at www.NorthShore1049.com.

Toys can be dropped off at any of these locations now through Friday, December 19^th. For further information, please call JoAnn Gillette at North Shore 104.9 at 978-927-1049 extension 19 or Senator Bruce Tarr at 617-722-1600.

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