The Sanbox salutes military heroes

The Sandbox -- An Interactive Children's Museum on Hilton Head Island will use its Family Fun Night on Friday to thank military soldiers and their families for their service to our country. Local Marines will be on hand to collect new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. The Blue Star Mothers, an organization of mothers who have or have had children serving in the military, will be collecting items to be sent overseas to soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. A complete list of needed items is available at www.thesandbox.org.

The free monthly event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and is offered to area families. Fun activities and special arts and crafts will be featured, including a "thank you" station where attendees can personalize cards to be sent to deployed soldiers. Hot dogs courtesy of Skillets Cafe, chips and lemonade will be provided.