DAPHNE, Ala.—The Eastern Shore Exchange Club—a local service organization that raises funds to prevent child abuse, support youth programs and promote patriotism—helped the United States Sports Academy’s annual Toys for Tots campaign with a donation of toys to underprivileged children in Mobile and Baldwin County.

The club holds semi-monthly meetings on the academy’s campus, and its members wanted to show their appreciation to the Daphne-based entity.

“It’s just our way of showing our appreciation to (Academy President) Dr. (Thomas) Rosandich for letting us meet here,” Stewart said.

Eastern Shore Exchange Club President Nita Stewart said the organization kept a collection box at each meeting for toy donations, even if the Toys for Tots campaign was not current, and the donations have kept coming in since the club started meeting at the academy last December.

The club donated a “couple of boxes” filled with toys, which will be donated locally to children, The academy’s communications coordinator, Leigha Bolton, said. The academy has partnered with the United States Marine Corps to support a Toys for Tots donation campaign for 16 years.

Every Veterans Day, the club displays around 300 American flags on the grounds of the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Park where people are invited to pay $25 to sponsor a flag in honor of a veteran or a departed police officer or fireman.

Local residents may bring Toys for Tots donations to the academy each Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  until Dec. 10.