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An American Holiday Tradition
Christmas is a time of joy, happiness, and goodwill. It is a time of giving and helping those who are less fortunate than ourselves, especially impoverished children. For over half a century, on organization - the U.S. Marine Corps - is the unchallenged leader in looking after America's needy children at Christmas.
In 1947, Major Bill Hendricks,-with the support of members of his Los Angeles Marine Corps Reserve unit, - collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. Bill's program was so successful that in 1948, the Marine Crops adopted it and expanded it nationwide as the US. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. In the intervening years, Marines have conducted successful Toys for Tots campaigns each year, collecting and distributing over 298,000,000 toys.
The program has enjoyed the support of an array of notable Americans. Walt Disney designed the logo. Nat "King" Cole and Peggy Lee recorded the Toys for Tots song. Bob Hope, John Wayne, Brooke Shields, Johnny Carson, Garth Brooks, and Billy Ray Cyrus are but a few of the long list of celebrities who have used their time and talent to promote Toys for Tots. First Lady Barbara Bush served as the honorary national chairperson in 1992, and in her autobiography named Toys for Tots as one of her favorite charities.
Today, Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps' premier community action program. To many Americans, Christmas isn't complete without the image of uniformed Marines collecting and distributing toys to needy children of their communities. Over the past 13 years, Marines have distributed an average of 9,900,000 toys annually, and brought the joy of Christmas to an average of 4,600,000 needy children each year.
How Toys for Tots Works
Marine Corps Reserve Units, located throughout the nation, conduct toy collection and distribution campaigns in the communities near their Reserve Centers each year. To expand the nationwide coverage of Toys for Tots, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation authorizes Marine Corps League Detachments and local Community Organizations to conduct toys for Tots campaigns in communities without a local Marine Reserve Unit.
Campaigns begin in October and last until December 22nd. Caring Americans drop off new, unwrapped toys at collection receptacles located in local businesses. Marines pick up, sort and store these toys in a central warehouse. As Christmas nears, Marines distribute toys themselves and enlist the aid of local social welfare and churches to distribute toys to needy children on Christmas Day.
While Marines organize, coordinate, and manage the program, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.
Local business leaders play a key role by allowing Marines to locate collection receptacles in their stores; by providing free warehouse space during October, November, and December for sorting and storing toys; by providing vehicles to collect toys from collection sites; by sponsoring toy raising events; and by helping Marines receive maximum media exposure for Toys for Tots.
How You Can Help
*Donate a toy
*Donate your time
*Donate service support
-collection receptacles at your business
-warehouse space
-transportation support
-media exposure
*Make a tax deductible donation. Specify Jasper, IN if you want the money
to be used locally.
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
PO Box 1947
Marine Corps Base
Quantico, VA 22134
Our Local Campaign
Our 2008 collection campaign will run from Nov. 15 until Dec. 14. We support 6 counties in Southern Indiana. We are assisted in our efforts by several businesses and individuals who do various things such as host drop boxes, media promotions, fund raisers, toy collections, etc. Without the generosity of people such as this and all the people who donate toys, time and money, we wouldn't be able to help so many children. We accept new, unwrapped toys of all kinds for children from birth to age 17. Teenagers don't play with "toys" but there are many things they do enjoy such as books, games, sports balls, makeup and cologne. We can't accept or distribute used toys, clothes, food, etc. There are other organizations that handle those items. There is no specific age group or gender that we have a greater need for or shortage of. Things just seem to work out.
Special Thanks for hosting drop boxes:
| Jasper | EnStyle |
| KMart | |
| Wal Mart | |
| Nonte Chiropractic | |
| Uebelhor & Sons Toyota | |
| Dollar General North & South | |
| Rural King | |
| CVS Pharmacy | |
| Dubois County Tire | |
| The Sun Station | |
| Old National Bank | |
| Dale | Thermwood |
| Holiday Foods | |
| Huntingburg | Dollar General |
| CVS Pharmacy | |
| FedEx | |
| Dr. Pam Buss - All-in-One Chiropractic | |
| Ferdinand | Holiday Foods |
| Dollar General | |
| Dr. Bruce Nonte | |
| CVS Pharmacy | |
| Birdseye | Debs Truck Stop |
| Petersburg | Pamida |
| Santa Claus | Holiday Foods |
| Otwell | Circle A |
| French Lick | CVS Pharmacy |
| Chamber of Commerce | |
| French Lick Resort - West Baden, Casino, & Hotel | |
| Paoli | CVS Pharmacy |
| Chamber of Commerce | |
| Orleans | Orleans Town Hall |
Special Thanks for other support:
| WITZ radio | The Herald | WBDC radio |
Contact Pat Moriarty 812-695-5061 or Allen Fritz 812-683-2192 for more information.
To sign up to receive toys, please contact The Red Cross in Huntingburg at 683-8555.
Click here to find a TFT
organization near you!
Every child deserves a little Christmas!