Toys for Tots: Christmastime Sharing
Christmas is a time of giving and sharing with others. This is the time of year to look at providing a little help for those that don't have as much as you. Toys for Tots are great way to spread the Christmas cheer and help a young child who may not otherwise have much of a Christmas.
The Toys for Tots program started in 1947 when a Mrs. Hendricks made a Raggedy Ann doll and asked her husband Marine Reserve Major Bill Hendricks to give it to an organization to help needy children. There were no such organizations to be found so Major Hendricks, with the help of other Marine Reservist collected over 5,000 toys and gave them to needy children around the Los Angles area. The following year the Marines adopted the idea and the Toys for Tots program was started.
Today Toys for Tots is a nationwide program that gives out hundreds of thousands of toys to children. Toys-for-Tots depend upon donations from the people that live within each city where toys are collected. These toys are then given out about two week's prier to Christmas.
Over the years Toys for Tots has gone from accepting used toys that were no longer needed to accepting only or mostly new unopened toys. Most big name department stores and other retailers have started allowing Toys for Tots collection boxes to be put within their stores. K-Mart and Wal-Mart and a few others contribute toys in addition to what customers leave.
As of the last few years some Toys for Tots locations are also giving out food vouchers and food on location. Some are also providing immusation shots and medical checkups for kids. Also some Marine units in some of the larger cities have started collecting food, clothes, and personal products for homeless shelters.
Sadly more and more Marine Units from many cities throughout the United States are also having difficulties reaching their needed goal of donated toys. One such area is the central Marine Units office in Des Moines, Iowa. They have received a larger request then expected this year and have earlier then expected stopped taking request. This has become some what of a problem throughout the U.S. likely considering the job market and struggling economy.
On a personal note my family and I had for a couple of years depended on Toys for Tots. Without them I am not sure what kind of Christmas we would have had. We were thankful for the generosity and kindness of those that gave and have tried to return that favor many times over the years. At the time we needed Toys for Tots we didn't even have money of a Christmas tree. So I taped a big piece of wrapping paper (backside out) to the wall with a drawing of a tree on it. My wife and I got the kids and together we decorated that paper tree with crayons, markers and water paints. Then we placed the presents we picked up from Toys for Tots on the floor by that paper tree. It was the best Christmas thanks to that paper tree and the Marine Reserve Units Toys for Tots.
Published by BIRD NAMED JEFF
Most people that know me know that I am called Bird by my friends online. It comes from my nickname that I have used online for most of the last 10 years - flyingbird65. I have used that nickname in Pogo.com... View profile
- The Benefits of Working Part TimePeople want to work part time for an endless variety of reasons. We will look at some of these situations and provide some tips for those who want to work part time.
- Building a Home for First Time HomebuyersThere are many options available to first time homebuyers, including a new construction home. Choose a plan, a lot, and receive special first time buyer financing.
- Advice for First-Time Homebuyers in CaliforniaThe California real estate market is booming. With escalating prices, buying your first home may appear doubtful; however, special loans available for first-time homebuyers can turn hope of ownership into a permanen...
- Old Time Radio Inspired War of the WorldsOld time radio drama is a forgotten medium today, except by a large band of dedicated enthusiasts who collect and listen to the programs, and relive the thrills of yesteryear.
- TimeThis is a poem about time and our relationship with "her".
- The Use of Time Travel in Cinema and Film
- Measurement of Time: From Kairological to Chronological
- Time as an Enabler
- All Time Favorite Action Movies
- Local Historical Society Hosts Toys for Tots Car Show in Bloomington, CA
- Reality TV Show Idea: Tough Tots! Watch Adorable Three-Year-Olds in the Test of Th...
- Instructions for How to Make a Time Capsule
- Christmas is a time of giving and sharing with others
- Toys for Tots is a nationwide program that gives out hundreds of thousands of toys to children
- Marine Units from many cities throughout the United States are also having difficulties reaching the
22 Comments
Post a CommentCan someone please help us this year with toys, for my grandchildren. thier age is 2yrs girl, 6yrs girl,7yrs boy and 11yrs.
boy. Good kids, to a single mother unemploy.
Please, please help(214)434-5020.Curtresha
I forgot to put the ages of the boys. They are 3 and 5. her father and I have given everything we had to help. We have no more savings due to it taking 1 1/2 years without even child support from the father because he has a new life, and are living payday to payday, robbing Peter to pay Paul just to make it. Please help us. Again you can aontact me at 210-260-2105 or r_vale1961@yahoo.com. Thank You
I am disabled therefore I can not get out of the house much due to great pain. I just moved here. My daughter also moved here in hopes of getting a job. Due to a hurrific divorce she is having problem finding one other than daily labor inwhich she works real hard doing. I spent most of my life helping the needy by making and giving 2-4 thanksgiving and christmas meals for the needy every year as well as running food pantrys. Now I need help and I dont know where to go for help. These boys deserve a Christmas and I cant give it to them and if they get anything from their father it stays at his house 6 hours away for the 2-3 times they go up there. So they can not enjoy even the cloths he gives them. Can someone help me and tell me who to contact so thay can Have something this year please. I can be reached at 210-260-2105 or r_vale1961@yahoo.com
I am disabled therefore I can not get out of the house much due to great pain. I just moved here. My daughter also moved here in hopes of getting a job. Due to a hurrific divorce she is having problem finding one other than daily labor inwhich she works real hard doing. I spent most of my life helping the needy by making and giving 2-4 thanksgiving and christmas meals for the needy every year as well as running food pantrys. Now I need help and I dont know where to go for help. These boys deserve a Christmas and I cant give it to them and if they get anything from their father it stays at his house 6 hours away for the 2-3 times they go up there. So they can not enjoy even the cloths he gives them. Can someone help me and tell me who to contact so thay can Have something this year please.
i forgot my phone number if you need to talk to me. (313) 926-2759
my family and i need help for christmas. i can not afford to make or give my children christmas this year. i finally got a place for us to stay after living with other people that only let me and my children stay for a min. iam havvind a hard tome paying the rent with the job that i have but i do my best to make it work for us.
I forgot to put my phone number down, sorry.
404-723-5986
Hello my name is Rebecca I am in need for help this Christmas. I have been without a job for over a yr now and my husband has been working in Savannah, GA for over a yr. We have two house payments and two different kinds of bills to pay now. I have two wonderful children, my daughter will be 7 on Christmas and my son is 5, he was diagnosed with Autism 2yrs ago so it has been rough trying to pay for the bills and medical visits also. If anyone can please help with anything it would mean the world to my kids. Thank You and Merry Christams.
Hi my name leanna i have a total 8children in my house hold only two of them are mine my brother clarence lane died 9/11/07 he was crush by a loader in riviera beach florida i have dyquil lane 11yrs tyvon 8 chelsey12 letia 13 denis 2yrs jermeyy 2yrs dominque 16 jarmari 3 it been very hard this year im single mom of 8 now and i can't afford to buy toys and gifts this season my phone number is 9545754537 im asking for any donations of a gifts this holiday my address is 10677 nw 48 st. coral springs fl 33076
Jennifer, umm I would like to suggest that you contact your local agencies concerning your needs. I personally have no connection with them but have had occation to use them from time to time. Please come back and let us all know if you received the help you are looking for.
I will forward your phone number to a pastor friend of mine and see if he might be able to provide you with some further assistance or if he knows someone from your general area that could be of assistance.
Thank you for commenting on my article. Hope you are able to find the help you need to make your childrens Christmas bright.
Sincerely,
Jeff B