The Dickinson County Racing Association Toys for Tots drive raises big money.
Read more: Local, Community, Economy, Toys, Charity, Salvation Army, Racing, Christmas, Donation
IRON MOUNTAIN -- Every year Paul Martin donates what he can to charity.
After becoming a board member with the Dickinson County Racing Association (DCRA), Martin pitched the idea of a toy drive to continue the giving.
"Our response was outstanding,” said Martin. “Within a day we had phone calls; I had people wanting to know if we wanted money sent, what donations we needed, be it food or any toys, what they could do. It was instantaneous."
In just one month, the DCRA collected $800 worth of toys and 700 pounds of food.
Yesterday the DCRA made deliveries to the Salvation Army and The Caring House in Iron Mountain as well as other charities in Iron River, Escanaba, and Houghton.
With the need as great as it is, the organizations are more than happy for the help.
"We are serving 100 families with gifts,” said Salvation Army Coordinator Amber Schiltz. “That is certainly not all of the need, but it's the need presented to us. Eighty-six families [will receive] food baskets for Christmas. But because lots of organizations like the DCRA have come forward to help, we're really doing pretty well."
Martin is pleased with the success of the project, but he is already planning to make it bigger next year.
"We had this come up just within the last month,” Martin said. "As big as it got, I'm hoping next year and the year after that and the year after we keep getting bigger and bigger and giving more and more to more communities and more children, just helping out as much as we can."
Even though the Dickinson County Racing Association is located in Norway, Martin said it's important they give food and toys to all charities across the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin. That's because many of their supporters and racers don't just come from Dickinson County.
