Toys for Tots Still in Need of Toys
Donate a New Toy to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that has distributed Christmas toys to needy children since 1947. Founded by Major Bill Hendricks and a group of Reservist volunteers, they gave away 5000 toys that year. Now, local campaigns are held annually in over 500 communities that cover all 50 states. Local drop-off sites collect toys until December 22, which are distributed on the 23rd and 24th. Toys are distributed to needy children within the community where the donations were made.
Toys for Tots requests new toys, for a few good reasons. When the Reservists were assigned a greater role in our national security in the 1970's, volunteers had less time to repair and refurbish old, broken toys. In the same era, when toy safety became an issue, the foundation chose not to accept used or potentially unsafe toys that may have caused liability problems. And by giving children shiny new toys all their own, and not hand-me-downs, the foundation's goal is "to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters..."
Some local Toys for Tots outlets may have stopped accepting toys already, but will still be taking monetary donations until December 24. Toys should be new and unwrapped. You can find the closest drop-off spot in your area at the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation website. Monetary donations may also be made online.
I'm sure that Toys for Tots isn't the only charity suffering from our economic recession. Most communities have toy drives run by local churches or charities. Somehow, most of us have been able to afford at least a little Christmas for our families. Surely we can find a few dollars for one more Christmas present for a worthy charity, or spare one from that pile already under the tree. Let us remember to share our abundance (even though it may be small) and give to those who have less. Your reward will be seeing the shining eyes and happy smiles of your own family members on Christmas morning, and knowing that you made that day just a little bit brighter for another family, too.The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has been distributing toys to needy children since 1947.The founder of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR, got the idea from his wife when she asked him to find a charity to which she could donate a rag doll she made.http://www.toysfortots.org/default.asp
Published by Jill Davidson
Ms. Davidson is self-employed as a secondhand merchant, crafter, and free-lance writer. View profile
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14 Comments
Post a Commenti have a 4 years old 3 years old and a 1 years old boys and i have a 2 month baby girl and i couldn't afford anything but pa i will to know if is posible if ya could help me my number is 347-367-9975 and have a merry christmas and a happy new year god bless
i'm a little late.But i wasn't sure where to go for a little help. I have a 7 years old girl and 3 years old boy. I couldn't afford anything this year cause my unemployeement. I don't recieve anything but pa. now. So i wanted to know if is posible for a little extra help. 2119 hughes ave. #12 apt 10457
please help e get my 2yearold girl,7year old boy,10year old boy,15year oldboy,17year old girl something please
I know how it feels not to be able to give to a child for christmas, I have just recieved custody of my granddaughter who is 3 both of her parents are incarcerated and we don't know the whereabouts of her only siblings a brother and sister, I am her maternal grandmother and am living on social security she came with only the clothes on her back and had been abused and neglected I have spent all I could on clothes for her and will not be able to affford toys, but she will have all the love this old women can provide if anyone can find a charity for toys please contact me at P.O. Box 1178 Livingston La 70754 Her name is Brooklyn Thanks for listening. L.Villnuve
good article...
I'm a little late for commenting here, but I sure hope they received all of the toys they needed. All kids should have a wonderful Christmas.
Wow, interesting history there! Well written and flows very nicely, thanks for sharing, I enjoyed it!
Jill, all charities are suffering this year. I support Prison Fellowship's "Angel Tree" and their giving is also way down. It's very sad because children do not understand about the economy. All they know is nobody loves them. Good reminder!
I'm so glad you wrote this. As we get closer to the holiday, the need is so great! Our food pantries are running low and so are the toy drives. Our kids know that a portion of our budget is going to help others and they are fine with it. When they were younger, it took some convincing...but now they understand the benefits and even enjoy picking out the gifts.
My mother always told us kids growing up that no matter how dire our situation, one could always look around and find someone else in much worse circumstances. Toys for Tots is a wonderful charity that makes this time of year a little bit brighter for a lot of boys and girls. Thanks for the gentle reminder of how blessed we truly are compared to many others throughout the world today. (^;^)