Toys for Tots Successful Despite Slow Economy

American Forces Press Service ^ | Sharon Foster

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2009 – Sixteen million new toys were distributed to 7.6 million children over the Christmas holiday through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charles Reynolds, an assistant with the Marine Forces Reserve Toys for Tots Program, speaks to Cub Scouts in Mandeville, La., about the program during a Dec. 7, 2008, visit. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Erin Wiener   
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The program’s aim is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to children in communities where campaigns are conducted.

The 2008 campaign took place in 657 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

“This was a very successful campaign,” retired Marine Corps Maj. William J. Grein, vice president of marketing and development for the Toys for Tots Foundation, said. “We were very pleased with the outcome. We feel we touched a lot of needy families over the holidays.”

The American people and the campaign’s corporate sponsors are to be applauded for their compassion and generosity during tough economic times, he said.

“Toy donations were slightly down, but we did see an increase in cash contributions,” Grein said. “This was a very interesting year. Our feelings were, maybe folks couldn’t afford to buy a $20 toy, but still were willing to make a $10 or $15 donation.”

Despite the economy, the campaign was successful because of outstanding efforts on the part of local Toys for Tots campaign coordinators, the Marine Forces Reserve and the staff of the Toys for Tots Foundation, campaign officials said.

“We are dealing with children that don’t often understand the result of a bad economy,” Grein said. “They just can’t rationalize it. All they know, all they see is Christmas is a time when Santa comes and when good things happen. They want to be a part of that. As a parent, I would be crushed if I was not able to give a gift to my child at Christmas. This program brings hope and smiles to parents and children.”

Related Sites:
Toys for Tots

[Niuhuru]

At least there are still people who are so willing to give.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Of course...everyone’s donating toys before they become illegal!

[Larry381]

Isn't this one of the charities that Rush contributes big money to?

[SandRat]

I think so.

[Retired Greyhound]

Studies show that the less affluent actually give more, especially southerners when compared with New England blue bloods.

[Niuhuru]

Well, the blue blood snobs in New England are the types who don’t like to get their hands dirty, an irony when I think of how all these fortunes are made.

[Richard Kimball]

Anecdotal evidence, but a few years ago, I used to do the "fill the boot" campaign for Jerry's kids. When we worked corners, if a black lady in an old beater pulled up to the intersection, she'd almost always smile, drop a few bucks in and give a kind word. If a white guy in a Mercedes or a Lexus pulled up, they'd stare straight ahead. When cars stopped at the intersection for a light, a guy in a Mercedes would ALWAYS leave a two car gap in front of him, then as we walked by the cars, would pull up so he'd be moving when we passed his window. They always had sunglasses on and never acknowledged that we existed. We didn't bang on car windows or do any pressure, just walked by with the boot. If they rolled down their window, we took the contribution and said thanks. I never got a contribution from anyone in a Mercedes.

[Paulus Invictus]

My dear departed brother, Master Gunnery Sergeant George Wilson, was one of the four founders of the Toys for Tots program and was honored for his part in a large ceremony in Hollywood years back. It was one of his proudest moments. Semper Fi, Sergeant!

[USNBandit]

What do the doubters think Semper Fidelis stands for?

[Josa]

I only give to charities that help down and out Republicans.
Since no such charity exists, I give to individuals on a select basis.

But I REFUSE to help make life more pleasant or comfortable for anyone who votes democRAT.

[newhouse]

Studies show the less affluent give...

That is pretty consistent with the town I live in. If the Boy Scouts or USPS is gathering food for the food bank, they know it is going to come from those that can least afford to give. Yes there are the few that donate big time once in awhile, but to a highly visible cause more than every day needs almost guaranteed.

The neat thing about the giving is, it is such fun to participate, which is going to be on the quiet actually, and takes so little money and effort for the individual doing the giving.

[cradle of freedom]

This doesn’t exactly fit with this thread but I just wanted to put in a good word for giving kids educational toys. Educational toys not only nourish children’s minds but they keep them away from much of the brain rotting activities such as dopey tv shows and video games.

I have purchased toys from this website. They have a great assortment of educational toys. Giving these toys is a great way for parents, grandparents and families to invest in a child’s future. Books of course, are another great gift idea.

www.youngexplorers.com