The Carolina Classic Fair is underway, and leaders at the fairgrounds celebrated local service members with Military Appreciation Day on Thursday. In addition to the recognition, a local veteran group is also hosting its annual toy drive for kids.Inside the Annex building within the fairgrounds, near the front entrance, several walls are filled with more than 450 photos of active service members and veterans who served within the area. The wall includes service members from all four military branches.Leaders with the Marine Corps League Detachment #1075 set up a table booth inside the Annex building, near the Veterans Wall of Honor.To better understand what Military Appreciation Day means to local veterans, WXII 12 News talked with Lewis Pleasants. Pleasants served in the Marine Corps and Navy from 1966-1972. However, Pleasants is still serving his community as an active member of the Marine Corps League. He currently serves as commandant of the organization and has been a member for the past 11 years."I'm very proud that I served in the Navy and Marine Corps as well as all the people that I know... To be part of it, and to serve your country and to give back to America, look at what it gives us. It's a privilege and an honor to do it," Pleasants said.Members are raising awareness about the Marine Corps, recruiting members, and collecting donations, toys or money, to help kids this upcoming holiday season.Organizers said many children are in need, especially during the pandemic. They added the organization collected more than 35,000 toys last year and helped more than 17,000 kids in Forsyth County and surrounding areas. This year, they're hoping to collect at least 40,000 toys. Organizers welcome any kind of toy, however, it must be brand new.If you donate money, officials said they will buy the toys within 48 hours after receiving the donation."Let a person know they're remembered," Pleasants said. "Let them know there's hope in life. And there's a future to things. You get out of it what you put into it. And we want to put all we can to help children."The drive has officially kicked off and will last until Dec. 23. The Marine Corps League will continue to welcome donations and those who would like to learn more about the Marine Corps at the fairgrounds until Sunday. If you can't make it to the fairgrounds, organizers added Toy for Tots bins will be placed across the county and surrounding areas.The Marine Corps League Detachment #1075 meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the American Legion Post #55 at 7 p.m. It's located at 111 Miller St. in Winston-Salem.If you'd like to learn more about the Marine Corps League Detachment #1075, please click here.