Convoy supports Toys for Tots

“I would like them to really stop harassing the family”, said Lynn Harkness.

After their convoy ride, the toys were loaded into a large Toys for Tots truck to be shipped to a warehouse in Latham, where they will be sorted and distributed to hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout the Capital Region.

Harkness, contacted by The Gazette on Sunday afternoon, said he was upset because he had been allowed to stand inside the store in previous years while he collected donations for the Toys for Tots Foundation, a charity associated with the Marine Corps that donates toys to needy children.

A Twitter image of the Marine veteran standing on the curb in rainy, 40-degree weather struck a nerve on social media, where it was shared thousands of times. “We’ve been getting calls and emails and messages all day”. They said they asked to go inside, but the Walmart store manager said it’s against the company’s solicitation policy to allow them inside.

“Our company policy is for charity groups to be outside”.

“She said ‘You have to stay outside”. “So this is just a manager upholding the policy”. She bought him a coffee ( from Subway, apparently) and learned that the manager had barred him from soliciting inside the building. You can’t come in the store.’ We weren’t allowed in between the two sets of doors.

He said the corporate position on veterans is one of utmost respect. “We’re there to collect toys for children that need a Christmas”.

“Some of them don’t even want the toys, they want the coats and blankets so it’s heartbreaking but at the same time, such a precious moment”, Roman said.

“It’s gratifying to know that so many kids are going to have a happy holiday”, Lorey said.