PING!!!
Posted on 11/28/2005 4:20:42 PM PST by SandRat
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 year the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December and provides them as Christmas gifts to children in the local community.
Each year Marines from Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 work with station volunteers and coordinate with Yuma County businesses to ensure a successful toy collection season. The Yuma Toys for Tots campaign officially kicks-off Nov. 25, at the Kay-Bee Toys, said Staff Sgt. Rodney Harris, Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 supply chief and Yuma County ToT coordinator.
“The program was created to give toys for children in need,” said Harris. “There are some children here whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts on Christmas, that’s where we come in.”
Harris said it is important for those who can afford to donate toys and money to do so, because it gives Yuma children an opportunity to receive gifts on Christmas, although they could afford to buy them. It also gives service members, who are often regarded as role models, the opportunity to improve the surrounding community in other ways than their service, he said.
“Marines can help sort, pack and ship toys from our warehouse,” said Harris. “All of these things are just as important as donating toys or money. For those who have families to buy presents for, sometimes they can’t afford to give, but donating time and working with the program won’t cost them anything.”
Harris said he would also need Marines to volunteer collecting toys in their dress uniforms at the collection points over Yuma.
For those interested in donating a toy, there are donating bins at the station exchange, Navy Federal Credit Union, and several locations out in town.
Once the campaign kicks off, those who plan to contribute have until Dec. 19 to donate a toy. For more information on the Yuma County Program, contact Harris at 269-2193.
For more information on the national Toys for Tots program, access the website at www.toysfortots.org.
Surprised the ACLU hasn't declared this as somehow a Federal issue, and therefore unconstitutional.
Ping
They just haven't got around to it yet.
Kind of off topic, but what does one get for a 12 year old girl. I wound up this angel and I have not a clue what to get girls!
Wonderful charity we have always supported!
Last year, I was part of an effort by a small group of
children's boutique designers who raised nearly $2,000
for the Marine's Toys for Tots program.
Oh wow!!!! It's been so long since my girls were 12! Ladies of FR can you help????
My 11 yo is VERY into anything creative. PAstels, drawing tablets (the good ones)....you can buy all kinds of crafting kits at Michaels or WalMart to make all kinds of stuff. That's what I would reccommend anyway! LOL Hope that helps.
The Cleveland County GOP here in Oklahoma is going to be having a float in the Norman, OK, parade which the theme is Toyland on Main Street. We are now collecting toys for the float and will donate every new toy we have on the float to the Toys for Tots program.
This is an opportunity for Republicans to give back to the community. Our float is going to be titled CHRISTmas is for Giving. I was talking to one of our State Reps wives when we came up with the idea for giving the toys to charity and I immediately thought of Toys for Tots. We have asked our email list to give a new toy or send us $10 so we can shop for toys for the float.
We plan to make this an annual event for Cleveland County GOP at Christmas so we can share with children to make their Christmas special.
This is a fantastic program that has brought smiles to children all over.
Hello All. I have been active in T4T (first in Mississippi and then in Metro DC) for 20+ years. If you are in the DC area and don't have handy drop-off point, please Freepmail me. I have been the director for the last five years of a Toys for Tots benefit Square and Round Dance. Each year we get about 200 toys and $1500 or so in cash. Our dance is at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center in Alexandria, Virginia on Sunday, December 4 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Marines start to haul the toys away at about 3:00.
BTTT
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