Many Blue Water Area children will have gifts under the tree this Christmas thanks to a local couple who have been hosting Toys for Tots fundraisers for 21 years. Scott and Susan Hartfil of Fort Gratiot, did it again this year with their Bowling Fundraiser at Port Huron Lanes with proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots. The fundraiser has become an annual tradition for many people who get to both enjoy a night out and help local kids.
Last Friday was the 21st annual event and Scott Hartfil told us how it got started. It is a pretty simple story of a man who just wanted to do some good for his community. In 1998, he attended a bowling fundraiser for his nephew’s hockey team and had so much fun that he wanted to host one himself. He just needed a cause. When he heard about Toys for Tots on the radio, the rest became history.
Scott connected with the right people, started with a small event, and, along with his wife Susan, local coordinator Linda McLeod, and fellow organizer Misty Adair, kept the momentum going. Scott estimates they have collected about 5,000 toys over the years and raised around $80,000.
Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.
