On Friday, July 25, the Boothbay Railway Village will host, in partnership with the Marine Corps Reserves and Family Holiday Wishes, its second annual Toys for Tots toy drive from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each adult or child who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate will be treated to free admission to the museum and, of course, a steam train ride. The train will depart every hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

This year’s theme is Christmas in July and Santa himself is making plans to take his summer vacation in the Boothbay Harbor region this year. There will be many special activities available throughout the museum for children and families including cookie decorating, holiday story time, a scavenger hunt and much more. 

Portrait photographer Melissa Albert will be available for those who are interested in a professional sitting with Santa. She’s offering the sitting fee, digital image, and an 8 by 10-inch print all for just $25 and for each booking she’ll donate $10 to Toys for Tots. Of course, there will be plenty of opportunities for families to take their own candid shots too.

"We are excited to partner with The Boothbay Railway Village. Come out and join us for Christmas in July! It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community while enjoying a fun-filled day with your family," said Joan Vargas, Toys for Tots Coordinator.

Since 1947, the Marines have fulfilled the dreams of millions of less fortunate children each Christmas through the Toys for Tots program. A shiny new toy sends the message to a needy child that someone cares, that he or she hasn’t been forgotten and that the magic of Christmas has not passed them by.  Your donation will benefit one of the hundreds of children right here in Lincoln County who would otherwise not receive a Christmas gift.

“At our first event last October we collected nearly 80 toys but at the end of the day the coordinators decided we should move the event to the summer when our population swells with seasonal residents and visitors,” said Margaret Hoffman, assistant director at the Boothbay Railway Village. “Our hope this year is to at least double the number of toys collected.”

The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay. The Museum Store will be open for anyone who wishes to purchase a gift to donate at the event. For more information on Boothbay Railway Village, please visit www.railwayvillage.org or call 207-633-4727.

For donations or toy requests, call Joan Vargas, Toys for Tots Coordinator for Lincoln and Waldo Counties, at 207-354-6282 or email knoxlincolnwaldotoysfortots@gmail.com. Donation boxes will be available at locations across Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties starting November 1, 2014. For more information please visit: rockland-me.toysfortots.org