Many of us can recall seeing the familiar Toys for Tots collection sites year after year during the bustle of the busy holiday shopping season.
The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots began its mission of collecting toys for families in need in 1947. According to the organization’s website, Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots was inspired by Diane Hendricks who had a few handcrafted dolls and she asked her husband, Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Bill Hendricks, to deliver them where the dolls would go to children in need. When her husband couldn’t find an agency that could complete the mission, his wife told him to start one. And so he did.
That was 77 years ago. Today the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots organization continues to make a difference for millions of children and their families around the United States.
Ted Silvester, Colonel, USMC (Ret.) and vice president of Marketing and Development of the Toys for Tots Foundation, had a 25-year career in the Marine Corps and spent some of his time stationed in the Atlanta area. Now a part of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Ted says it’s rewarding to know that what you’re doing is making a difference.
“It’s a pretty good reach, and it’s a great opportunity,” Ted says. “I’m very fortunate to be a part of our small team here.”
Last year the organization with its nearly 880 local chapters throughout the United States distributed 25,000,000 toys to 10.3 million children. According to the Toys for Tots website, the local impact in 2023 in the Atlanta area alone was 795,440 toys distributed to 397,720 children. Coordinators lead local efforts by planning, organizing and conducting the campaign in his or her community. Kelly Wilson is coordinator for Atlanta’s local Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Chapter, and according to Ted, Kelly’s efforts have reached 400,000 to 450,000 children in Atlanta and the surrounding metro areas, the largest campaign in the states.
The Toys for Tots website notes that toy collection campaigns generally start as early as October and run through mid to late December with distribution taking place mid to late December. Toys dropped at collection sites should be new and unwrapped. Coordinators pick up the toys and take them to a central warehouse where they are sorted.
Coordinators, with the help of well-qualified local social welfare agencies, churches, and other local agencies, distribute the toys to less fortunate children in the community. Success of a local campaign depends on the community and the generosity of those who donate. Each and every toy can make a difference in a child’s life.
While many of us are most familiar with the collection sites and the holiday program, the organization has other year-round programs as well.
“Christmas is our primary mission,” Ted explains. “But the needs of families don’t end with the holidays, so we’ve been able to expand our reach through our network of partners.”
These additional programs include a literacy program where since 2008 the Marine Toys for Tots organization has distributed more than 57 million books to children in need. They provide gifts and backpacks to children living in foster care. They’ve initiated a Native American Program. And they’ve implemented a Youth Ambassador Program with about 50 to 60 youth ambassadors throughout different regions of the United States. “It’s a good image of kids helping kids,” Ted says.
In 1991 the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was established as a nonprofit. Ted says it’s the foundation that does the heavy lifting of raising and managing funds, purchases toys, educating the public and much more.
Ted says the organization’s goal is to reach 11 million children this year. To accomplish this goal, it takes a lot of toys and a lot of manpower. Toys For Tots is a Community Action Program with 100% support from the American public. Volunteers are a big part of the program. Last year 50,000 volunteers helped to put 25,000,000 toys into the hands of 10 million kids.
If you want to help by donating a toy to a child in need during the holidays, it’s simple.
“We ask that when you’re out doing your Christmas and holiday shopping, just buy an extra toy or two and drop it in a box in your community,” Ted says.
To find a collection center in your area, you can visit the Toys for Tots website or try the new Toys for Tots app. If you can’t donate a toy but would still like to help, you can also make a monetary donation online.
For more information such as toy collection and drop-off locations, volunteer information, to make an online donation and more, go to toysfortots.org.
Toys for Tots began its mission of collecting toys for families about 77 years ago.