Marine Toys for Tots 75th Anniversary via 360 MAGAZINE

Marine Toys for Tots 75th Anniversary

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program

Celebrates 75 Years of Providing Hope to Children in Need!

Marine Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s premiere Community Action Program, announces its 75th Anniversary of supporting children in need across the Nation and the kick-off of the Program’s 2022 holiday campaign.

U.S. Marines and volunteers will be conducting over 830 local toy collection and distribution campaigns in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands.  This year, Toys for Tots will highlight our extraordinary Reserve Marines, past and present, as well as showcase the incredible effort from communities across the Nation that has enabled Toys for Tots to support over 281 million less fortunate children.

Who: U.S. Marines and 55,000 volunteers, millions of local supporters, hundreds of corporate partners of Toys for Tots.

What: Marines and volunteers engaging with local businesses, media and individuals within their communities collecting new, unwrapped toys and distributing those gifts to less fortunate children allowing them to experience the joy of Christmas or any celebrated holiday.

When:   November 1, 2022 – December 25, 2022

Where: Toys for Tots is conducting more than 830 local campaigns in communities throughout the U.S. Find a local TFT campaign near you by visiting our website at www.toysfortots.org.

Why: Across the Nation, 1 in 6 million children are living in poverty. The mission of Marine Toys for Tots is to bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children with the goal of delivering a message of hope that will inspire youngsters to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Now, in Toys for Tots’ 75th year, we are asking our supporters to make this important milestone another record-breaking year. It is our goal to deliver the magic of the holidays to every family seeking holiday help from Toys for Tots.

The idea of the Marine Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 at the helm of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks. Major Hendricks’ wife, Diane, was the inspiration behind the Program after she asked Major Hendricks to deliver some handcrafted dolls to an agency that supported children in need. When Major Hendricks reported back to his wife that he could not find an agency for the handcrafted dolls, Diane encouraged her husband to “start one”! 

The Marine Toys for Tots Program began as just one campaign in 1947 with Major Hendricks and the Marines in his Reserve unit collecting over 5,000 toys and delivering them to children in need in the Los Angeles area. The following year, under the direction of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Clifton B. Cates, every Marine Corps Reserve unit implemented a Toys for Tots campaign—which transformed Toys for Tots into a National Community Action Program.

In recent years, Marine Toys for Tots has distributed millions of educational toys, books, games, and sporting equipment to children in need during the spring and summer months. These children and their families were facing adversity and exceptional circumstances including pandemic related challenges, natural disaster recovery, and other extenuating events. “Toys for Tots is more than a Christmas charity—that is why we wanted to DoGoodNOW and continue to expand our partnerships with other non-profit partners,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “With the assistance of various non-profit organizations throughout the country, Toys for Tots has the ability to extend our reach and provide support to families who are facing tremendous year-round challenges.” 

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program has also expanded since its inception in 2008 by providing books to non-profits to distribute books to Title I funded schools across the Nation. Over 47 million books have been distributed, and with each and every book provided, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program hopes to break the cycle of poverty. Another Program that has allowed Toys for Tots to reach even more children in need is the Toys for Tots Native American Program. Each year, 180,000+ Native American children living on remote Reservations across the United States receive toys and books leaving a positive impact and assisting in the development of these children.

As our Nation has faced the many challenges and national crises over the past 75 year, the American public has never let Toys for Tots down. Our Marines and volunteers have been able to support millions of children in need year after year. Marine Toys for Tots had a record-breaking year in 2021 and distributed an unprecedented 22.4 million toys to 8.7 million underprivileged children. 

Since Marine Toys for Tots Program’s inception in 1947 with a single hand-crafted doll, we have distributed 627 million toys to over 281 million children in need over seven decades. We’ve adapted and overcome many challenges, but always accomplished the mission.

Today’s children are tomorrow’s future, and Marine Toys for Tots is dedicated to ensuring it’s as bright as possible for children living in challenging circumstances. Because of the support we have received over the last seven decades from the American public, our wonderful Corporate Sponsors, and our dedicated local Coordinators and volunteers – we are 75 years strong! Now, in our 75th year, the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program also provides support year-round to families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus fulfilling the hopes and dreams of millions of children in need Nationwide at Christmastime – and beyond. Help Marine Toys for Tots fulfill the Christmas Holiday dreams of millions of impoverished children who otherwise may be forgotten, after all – every child deserves a little Christmas.

About Marine Toys for Tots

Marine Toys for Tots, a 75-year National charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness, and hope to children in need. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 8.7 million less fortunate children in over 830 communities Nationwide. Since 1947, over 281 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org