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  • October Alpi local coordinator for Toys for Tots hangs a poster in the window of the McAlester News Capital on Friday. Kevin Harvison

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  • TOYS-FOR-TOTS.jpg Staff Photo by KEVIN HARVISON

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December 28, 2012

Several Pittsburg County families received Christmas gifts from Toys For Tots program

By Jeanne LeFlore Staff Writer

McALESTER — Several Pittsburg County families received Christmas gifts because of donors to the Toys For Tots program, according to local coordinator October Alpi.

She said 41 families received at least two toys for each child.

“Every child got two gifts and we had other little giveaways for the children,” Alpi said.

The unwrapped gifts were given to the families at a private gathering at the First Methodist Church building on Carl Albert Parkway, Friday evening.

“The families were very happy and they really seemed to appreciate the gifts,” she said.

Alpi said she volunteered for the program when she learned that there was no official Toys For Tots program for the Pittsburg County area.

“I believe that charity begins at home,” she said.

In previous years toys donated in the McAlester area were distributed to children in Tulsa, she said.

But this year she decided change all that.

“There are so many needy families right here and it just touched my heart,” Alpi said.

Even though she didn’t get started until mid-December, she said the donations were many.

“The people here are so generous.”

And she said local business also pitched in to help.

“I really want to thank Walmart, Tractor Supply, Country Mart, the McAlester News-Capital , Heavenly Delights and the First Methodist Church of Mcalester,” Alpi said.

Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com.

For more on this story, see the print or electronic editions of the McAlester News-Capital. Click here for print edition home delivery or click here to see the Smart Edition for your computer, tablet, e-reader or smartphone.

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