Boy Scout gives tots 575 reasons to play
N.B. student honors grandfather with Toys for Tots donation drive
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Christopher McLean collected 500 toys and 75 stuffed animals during the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation project he organized as his Eagle Scout project.

The North Brunswick resident decided to honor his grandfather, a former Marine, who passed away in August 2006 after a 9- month-long illness. He found out about the toy drive and along with ChiefWarrant Officer Nick D'Andrea of the Metuchen Marine Headquarters and 1st Sgt. Rufino Mendez of theWest Trenton Marine Headquarters, he set up collection stations at various locations in North Brunswick and Milltown to accept toys and games for children ages birth to 17.

"The way he lived his life, he was very proud to be a Marine," McLean said of his grandfather. "He was a very proud and strong-willed person."

The high school student had the help of Boy Scout Troop 33 in Milltown over the three-month period, which ended Dec. 15 but began in February, for the Middlesex and Mercer County drives. The Scouts would visit the collection sites once each week, and at the end they sorted them into different bags per gender and age.

McLean received 70 items from Pressman Toys, 48 from the North Brunswick Woman's Club, 86 from attendants of the high school's Brunswick Eruption competition in November, 20 fromhis aunt Karen's high school English class in Belleville, a multitude from the North Brunswick Cub Scout Pack 81 and the rest from various community members. Of the most notable itemswere binoculars, a portable pool table, a Tonka trunk and several expensive dolls. There were also board games, puzzles and infant toys.

Four cars took about 45 garbage bags to theMetuchen office on Dec. 1, andMcLean went an additional time on Dec. 8 for the remainder of items, which he purchased with the $250 ofmonetary donations he received.

"They weren't expecting that amount of toys," the Boy Scout said, noting that his original goal was 300. "It kind of overflowed [the office]."

He also attended a party thrown by the Marines for the recipients of the gifts, in order to see how appreciative the young children were.

"It was great to see them and the way they reacted when they opened them. I feel like Imade somebody else's holiday better."

He donated the stuffed animals, which the Marine Corps couldn't accept, to the PEI Kids Counseling Center in Lawrenceville for abused and foster children.

McLean said he attributes his success to the willingness of the public to participate in his cause.

"I don't have a doubt in my mind that they donated for the project itself. They donated for the kids, that's what it's for," he said. "I think it's really great I'm honoring [my grandfather]. It makes me feel good that I'm doing this for his memory and for the community."

As far as the project itself is concerned, McLean will now work on a write-up of the project and go before the Board of Review for a formal interview.

"This has a lot to do with leadership itself. It's the ability to organize and lead a group of people to accomplish a goal. Just giving back to the community is what it's about," he said.

McLean should learn if he achieves Eagle Scout status by the summer.