thedrifter
12-03-02, 09:52 AM
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.-- Every year needy children throughout the United States are not afforded the opportunity to experience the joys of Christmas. The Marines Corps Reserves are here to help.
Since 1948, the United States Marine Corps brings all the elements of a community together in a common cause for three months of each year. This nationwide community action project is known as the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program.
Toys for Tots plays an active role in the development of our nation's most valuable resource - our children; by uniting members of local communities in a common cause throughout the months of October, November and December during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign, and contributing to better communities in the future.
According to Gunnery Sgt. John L. Wavada, San Diego County Toys for Tots representative and maintenance chief, Marine Aircraft Group 46, the primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver new, unwrapped toys at Christmas as a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.
Each year toys are collected and distributed in communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located. In communities without a Reserve Unit a Marine Corps League Detachment or group of men and women authorized by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation conducts the local Toys for Tots Campaigns. Local Toys for Tots coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and various other voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toy and monetary donations.
Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until December 22. Toy distribution normally takes place on December 23 and 24. Members of the community drop off new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned at local businesses. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in a central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender.
During Christmas, coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the needy children of the community.
Over the years, Marines have established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies that are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.
While Toys for Tots coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.
Local business leaders play key roles. They allow coordinators to locate drop-off/collection boxes in their stores; provide free warehouse space for storing and sorting toys during October, November and December; provide vehicles to collect toys from drop-off sites; sponsor toy raising events; and help coordinators arrange media exposure for Toys for Tots in the local community.
National corporations support Toys for Tots by establishing affiliations with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. These corporations make donations to the foundation or conduct marketing initiatives from which they share royalties with the foundation. In almost every instance, the marketing initiatives of these corporations give significant added visibility and name recognition to Toys for Tots. Visibility enhances the campaign at the national and local levels. The funds emanating from these affiliations enable the foundation to purchase toys to supplement local collections; purchase promotion and support materials: and defray the costs of annual Toys for Tots campaigns.
Despite the trauma the nation experienced as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City and Washington, DC, the economic downturn and the anthrax scare, the 2001 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign was the second best in the 54 year history of the program. Marines and volunteers collected and distributed more than 13.2 million toys to 6.1 million needy children in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 388 Toys for Tots coordinators, supported by millions of caring Americans and hundreds of corporations nationwide, made the 2001 campaign the second most successful campaign in the history of the program. The Toys for Tots Foundation was also ranked #289 in the 2001 "Philanthropy 400". This was the first time the foundation earned a ranking in the "Philanthropy 400".
More than 600 drop-off barrels will be placed around San Diego County to include every Wal-Mart store, Marine Corps Exchanges and the Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, San Diego. For more information on the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program visit their website at www.toysfortots.org.
Sempers,
Roger
Since 1948, the United States Marine Corps brings all the elements of a community together in a common cause for three months of each year. This nationwide community action project is known as the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program.
Toys for Tots plays an active role in the development of our nation's most valuable resource - our children; by uniting members of local communities in a common cause throughout the months of October, November and December during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign, and contributing to better communities in the future.
According to Gunnery Sgt. John L. Wavada, San Diego County Toys for Tots representative and maintenance chief, Marine Aircraft Group 46, the primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver new, unwrapped toys at Christmas as a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.
Each year toys are collected and distributed in communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located. In communities without a Reserve Unit a Marine Corps League Detachment or group of men and women authorized by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation conducts the local Toys for Tots Campaigns. Local Toys for Tots coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and various other voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toy and monetary donations.
Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until December 22. Toy distribution normally takes place on December 23 and 24. Members of the community drop off new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned at local businesses. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in a central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender.
During Christmas, coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the needy children of the community.
Over the years, Marines have established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies that are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.
While Toys for Tots coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.
Local business leaders play key roles. They allow coordinators to locate drop-off/collection boxes in their stores; provide free warehouse space for storing and sorting toys during October, November and December; provide vehicles to collect toys from drop-off sites; sponsor toy raising events; and help coordinators arrange media exposure for Toys for Tots in the local community.
National corporations support Toys for Tots by establishing affiliations with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. These corporations make donations to the foundation or conduct marketing initiatives from which they share royalties with the foundation. In almost every instance, the marketing initiatives of these corporations give significant added visibility and name recognition to Toys for Tots. Visibility enhances the campaign at the national and local levels. The funds emanating from these affiliations enable the foundation to purchase toys to supplement local collections; purchase promotion and support materials: and defray the costs of annual Toys for Tots campaigns.
Despite the trauma the nation experienced as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City and Washington, DC, the economic downturn and the anthrax scare, the 2001 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign was the second best in the 54 year history of the program. Marines and volunteers collected and distributed more than 13.2 million toys to 6.1 million needy children in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 388 Toys for Tots coordinators, supported by millions of caring Americans and hundreds of corporations nationwide, made the 2001 campaign the second most successful campaign in the history of the program. The Toys for Tots Foundation was also ranked #289 in the 2001 "Philanthropy 400". This was the first time the foundation earned a ranking in the "Philanthropy 400".
More than 600 drop-off barrels will be placed around San Diego County to include every Wal-Mart store, Marine Corps Exchanges and the Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, San Diego. For more information on the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program visit their website at www.toysfortots.org.
Sempers,
Roger