Amy Wydner, Junior
Every year during the Christmas season in the U.S., millions of parents struggle financially to give gifts to their children; Toys for Tots is an initiative that helps these families and children by donating presents to them and bringing the joy of Christmas.
The Marine Reserve Toys for Tots Program, commonly just referred to as “Toys for Tots”, was started off in 1947 by Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks after he was inspired by his wife, Dianne, who made homemade dolls and asked him to deliver them to an agency that would send them to children in need. He knew many celebrities which helped him to start off the organization up, and even Walt Disney had designed the first poster with the creation of the now signature logo being the miniature three-car train. Currently, each gift provided to the kids contains two toys and three books.
The program had continued to grow in the decades following its creation and in 1990, the first national television promotion for Toys for Tots debuted. “Wheel of Fortune” and Pizza Hut had promoted Toys for Tots for three weeks and had raised nearly $3 million. Within the years of its creation, it had collected and distributed over 7.9 million toys to children. In 1991, Toys for Tots was recognized as a non-profit charity by the IRS which helped them run and support the program. In 1992, First Lady Barbara Bush was their national spokesperson, and even Michelle Obama endorsed them in 2009.
Although Toys For Tots can’t list everyone personally impacted by donations, on their site one can see a number of personal testimonies from families helped and supporters of the organization from all around the country. One listed is a woman named Cynthia who was a single mom for seven years and struggled to buy gifts for her kids. She said, “Toys for Tots helped make my boys' Christmas for several years”. She’s no longer in poverty and wants to give back to the organizations that gave back to her. Her sons, now grown, also give back by serving in the Marines.
Many corporations sponsor Toys For Tots through donations of money
or toys. Some of the corporations who have donated the most to the foundation include Build-A-Bear Workshop, AVON, Lego, Target, Hallmark, and Disney; all of whom had donated at least $1 million in cash or $2 million worth of toys. Businesses who sponsor them are able to be gratefully recognized on their site and also contribute to helping millions of children and their parents.
Toys for Tots has been in operation for years now and continues to grow and spread holiday cheer. Everyone and anyone can contribute to the foundation and show their support for them. Although many may take Christmas gifts for granted, they mean a lot to people who may not have the privilege to be able to have tons of presents under the tree on Christmas morning. Contributing is easy and helps out a great cause started by only two people.
(Photo Courtesy: Counton2.com)
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