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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — After being contacted by The Rutherford Institute and outraged members of the public, the U.S Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has reversed its decision and agreed to accept the donation of talking Jesus dolls from the company one2believe. Public statements by representatives of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation had suggested that their initial refusal of the Jesus dolls was motivated by a concern that the dolls might offend Jewish or Muslim recipients. In a letter to the president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, John W. Whitehead pointed out that the Foundation’s rejection...

The Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program has decided to accept a donation of talking Jesus dolls for gifts, changing course on a decision earlier this week to not accept them. "The talking Jesus doll issue has been resolved," the Marine organization announced on its Web site Wednesday. "Toys for Tots has found appropriate places for these items. We have notified the donor of our willingness to handle this transaction." Earlier this week, the program declined a suburban Los Angeles company's offer to donate 4,000 of the foot-tall dolls, which quote Bible verses. The battery-powered Jesus is one of several...

I received an email from Major Bill Grein, USMC (Ret). He has contacted David Socha of Blessed Toys, and asked him to send the dolls to Toys for Tots. He said they will find a place for every doll. I posted this orginally last night in the thread Dolls Rejected, but posters missed reading it. Good job to all those that emailed.

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A talking Jesus doll has been turned down by the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program. A Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the 1 foot-tall dolls, which quote Bible verses, for distribution to needy children this holiday season. The battery-powered Jesus is one of several dolls manufactured by one2believe, a division of the Valencia-based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., based on biblical figures. But the charity balked because of the dolls' religious nature. Toys are donated to kids based on financial need and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious...

A talking Jesus doll has been turned down by the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program. A suburban Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the foot- tall dolls, which quote Bible verses, for distribution to needy children this holiday season. The battery-powered Jesus is one of several dolls manufactured by one2believe, a division of the Valencia- based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., based on Biblical figures. But the charity balked because of the dolls' religious nature. Toys are donated to kids based on financial need and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious affiliations," said Bill...

The President on Saturday delivered his weekly live radio address on TV from the Roosevelt Room On Sunday the President addressed the nation from the Oval Office regarding progress in Iraq and the war on terror Today the President held a new conference in which he addressed the issue regarding the interception of international communications of people with known links to al Qaeda and related terrorist organizations. Later in the day the President and first lady joined marines in helping at the "Toys for Tots" collection center at the Naval District Washington Anacostia Annex in Washington, D.C. The Vice President...

(As told by the unbiased Press.) (AP - December 8, 2005) New York, New York Open minded, well intentioned Peace activists showed up outside Macy's today to protest the "Military Occupation" of the 101st Airborne who were collecting for the annual "Toys for Tots". (It is presumed that these toys will be going to children that they're not busy killing overseas.) The Activists set up "Camp Macy" twenty feet from the collection bin. Grieving mother Cindy Sheehan organized the event, but couldn't be there due to the illness of her cat. But she has promised to arrive later this week....

Toys for Tots time to arrive with a vroom at Iwakuni Motorcycle Show and Thunder Run kicks off charity effort By Greg Tyler, Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Wednesday, November 30, 2005 Clamorous revving in unison of about 200 motorcycle engines cruising the streets of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on Sunday afternoon will mark the official kick-start of the Toys for Tots giving season. This marks the seventh year the Motorcycle Show and Thunder Run has initiated efforts to collect toys for at least eight Iwakuni area orphanages, said Jay Stovall, Single Marine Program coordinator and a rally organizer....

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. (Nov. 25, 2005) -- In the fall of 1947, a woman named Diane handcrafted a Raggedy Ann doll and asked her husband, then-Marine Corps Reserve Major William Hendricks, to deliver the doll to an organization that would give it to a needy child on Christmas. When Hendricks told his wife that no organization existed, she suggested that he start one. That year, the project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign, according to the Toys for Tots Web site. Since, each...

NANGALAM, Afghanistan (Oct. 4, 2005) -- Marines and sailors of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment handed out over 600 school outfits Oct. 3 to local village children. The battalion recently began a campaign to bring clothing, toys and school supplies to the children in the neighboring village of Nangalam. “I got the idea because I used to run the toys-for-tots in Moscow; I did a tour over there as a Marine Security Guard,” said Sgt. Eric J. Rinda, infantryman, from Centennial, Colo. “I thought about doing it as soon as we arrived when I saw how poor the kids were.”...

Here is an updated list of First Sergeants in country to whom toys can be sent for distribution to Iraqi children. The troops are all Vermonters out of a reserve unit. They are, among other duties, in the "hearts and minds" business. Who knows how a small toy can benefit our troops, the war effort, and the United States of America. HMH 1SG Scott Bigelow, HHC/2-172 AR, Camp Navistar TF Green Mountain, APO AE 09317 1SG Shawn Washburn, Co A/2-172 AR, Camp Navistar TF Green Mountain, APO AE 09317 1SG Steven Corliss, Co B/2-172 AR, Camp New York TF GreenMountain,...

Nobles: The Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, for making the world a better place, starting here. The Marine Corps has a motto: No better friend, no worse enemy. The latter half is being experienced by the world's terrorists, the former is being felt right here at home. For 57 years, the Marines Corps Reserves have sponsored their Toys for Tots drive, which operates in all 50 states, and the District and Puerto Rico. The inspiration behind the Marines' efforts starts with the very spirit of Christmas: [snip]For giving Americans one more reason to be thankful for our servicemen and...

  From the Halls of Montezuma: To the Shores of Hartford ConnecticutDecember 16, 2004 Nothing delivers backhanded compliments to good people better than a backwater provincial newspaper and its backwater provincial reporters.  I guess that the urbane elite from the New York Times has set the whacko bar so high that anything NORMAL is no longer news.  And thus...the Hartford Courant shuffled the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program (TFT) to the back of the deck. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve TFT is the undisputed leader in giving joy to underprivileged children during the Christmas season.  In the fall of 1947,...

Toys for Tots begins work to ensure every child has a ChristmasSubmitted by: MCAS Cherry PointStory Identification #: 20041014164730Story by Lance Cpl. Cullen J. Tiernan MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (Oct. 6, 2004) -- Thanks to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, many more children will be able to celebrate Christmas. The Marines with Toys for Tots work hard, so that children all over America are able to experience the Christmas wonder. The 2004 Toys for Tots campaign at Cherry Point started Oct. 6 in front of the main exchange in a kick-off ceremony. The...

Mud Run to kick off Toys For Tots season Submitted by: Los Angeles Public AffairsStory Identification #: 200492121148Story by Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (Sep. 21, 2004) -- The Marine Corps League in collaboration with Marines and the city of Bakersfield will kick off The Kern County Toys for Tots season with the eighth running of the Volkslauf Mud Run "The Ultimate Challenge," here, Oct 16, 2004. According to 1st Sgt. Robert W. Breeden, company first sergeant, Inspector & Instructor, Bulk Fuel Co A, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Bakersfield, Calif., the purpose of the event is to not...

Now serving thousands of miles away in a foreign land, Palmdale resident Lance Cpl. Joshua Garcia was named Marine of the Month for July for his Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 769. "It's basically a great way to recognize somebody who's doing a fantastic job and represents the best," said Lt. Col. Drew Crane, Peacetime/Wartime support team. "He's a model Marine, representing the best in his achievements." Garcia's squadron is part of Marine Aircraft Group 46, Detachment Bravo. Usually stationed at Edwards AFB, the squadron has been serving at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan since March. The squadron anticipates returning to...

The U.S. Marines of the Marine Aircraft Group 46, Detachment Bravo, assigned to Edwards Air Force Base, know all about defending our country. They also make sure that life on the homefront is as close to normal this Christmas season as possible. The Marines are gathering toys for children from needy families through the Marine Corps Reserve's annual Toys for Tots program. "Our goal this year is to collect 20,000 toys in the Antelope Valley," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Mitchell, who is coordinating Toys for Tots efforts in the Antelope Valley. Those toys will be given to about 15,000 children....

First I ask your understanding regarding this vanity; to date it is the only one I have ever posted. I just wanted to remind all Freepers that it is not too late to do something to help with the US Marine Corps charity "Toys For Tots." At the very least, click HERE. Just by clicking this link, you will go to the Bristol Meyers Excedrin website, and Bristol Meyers will donate a $1 to Toys For Tots. What could be easier!! Also, please keep this thread bumped to make it more likely that other freepers will learn about this link....

Thousands Of Bikers Rally For Charity In Philadelphia  Email This Story Print This Story Nov 3, 2002 12:48 pm US/Eastern(AP) (PHILADELPHIA) An estimated 70,000 bikers roared through Philadelphia Sunday morning for an annual rally to benefit Children's Hospital. Motorcycle clubs from throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey were expected to participate in the 22nd annual Toy Run for the Kids, organized by the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education. Thousands are bringing toys to give to sick kids at the hospital. Motorists faced some traffic delays in some Center City areas around noontime, when the stream of riders gathered on the Delaware...