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Massport Sponsors Holiday Toys For Tots Campaign Urging South Boston Residents to Donate; Conley Terminal Serves As Official Community Drop-off Center for South Boston Residents

November 30, 2006

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced that it is sponsoring the Toys for Tots program with drop-off boxes throughout its various South Boston facilities including Conley Terminal. The Paul J. Conley Container Terminal is located at the corner of Farragut Road and East First Street, and will serve as the official community drop-off center for South Boston residents. Port Authority police at the security gate outside the restricted area will accept donations of new, unwrapped, non-violent toys 24-hours a day through December 18th. For more information, call Anthony Guerriero of Massport's Office of Government and Community Affairs at 617-568-3711.

The Massachusetts Port Authority police started the Toys for Tots outreach effort four years ago. "We saw an opportunity for Massport staff and local residents to make a difference in the lives of needy kids from South Boston during the holidays. To date, our collections have been a huge success, even the truck drivers operating in and out of Conley Terminal donate generously to the cause," said Massport Port Officer Robert McGovern.

"For children, the holidays bring a special excitement, and the anticipation of lots of toys, but for adults it is a time for giving and not receiving," said Thomas J. Kinton, Jr., Massport's CEO & Executive Director.

"Toys for Tots is a wonderful program, and my hope is that residents be inspired to reach out to those children with less, and make a toy donation for a child in need of a smile this time of year."

The Toys for Tots program is a 59-year tradition of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, and is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. In 2005, Toys for Tots delivered more than 18.5 million toys to over 7.4 million children. Cash donations help the Marines buy toys in bulk at deeply discounted prices.