A Marine in costume blues kneels down handy a shiny new bicycle to a wide-eyed child at a neighborhood distribution occasion. The mother and father stand by, holding again tears, whereas different youngsters clutch toys and board video games. This scene performs out 1000’s of instances each December, all because of one of many Marine Corps’ most enduring traditions: Toys for Tots.
Now in its 78th yr, the 2025 marketing campaign is in full swing, with Marines and volunteers throughout the nation gathering toys to verify no little one goes with out this vacation season.
Roots of the Program Hint Again to 1947
Toys for Tots began small in Los Angeles in 1947 when Marine Reserve Main Invoice Hendricks and his spouse Diane handmade a doll for a Raggedy Ann doll and requested him to ship it to a needy little one. When no company existed for that, Hendricks and his fellow Marines collected and distributed 5,000 toys that Christmas.
The very subsequent yr, the Commandant of the Marine Corps made it an official Marine Corps Reserve mission. Walt Disney even designed the enduring pink toy practice brand. What started as a neighborhood effort exploded nationwide, and at the moment it is one of the crucial acknowledged vacation charity drives in America.
Marine Forces Reserve Leads the Cost
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve directs the complete program. The Commander of Marine Forces Reserve oversees it from the highest, however native Reserve items and coordinators deal with the day-to-day work in tons of of communities.
That Reserve connection retains the military-community bond sturdy. Retired Marine Grasp Sergeant Shaun Van Eaton, a longtime volunteer, places it this manner:
“The occasions that I’ve attended have at all times been wonderful as a result of this time of yr, it connects the navy to the neighborhood as properly. Not on daily basis you see Marines of their costume blues interacting with households and children whether or not giving presents or receiving them.”
In 2024, the marketing campaign set data by distributing over 30 million toys, books, and video games to almost 13 million youngsters in want. Since 1947 the Marines have cumulatively handed out 708 million toys to over 314 million children. This yr, with financial pressures nonetheless hitting households exhausting, the objective is to match or beat these numbers.
Each Donation Stays Native
Probably the greatest elements about Toys for Tots is the way it retains issues near residence. As Van Eaton explains,
“all toys and cash donated within the native assortment areas are given again to the local people. For instance, Snohomish County [Washington] toy collections keep in the local people and do not get despatched to a different state or area.”
That native focus means your donation instantly helps children in your space. Marines work with faculties, social service businesses, and church buildings to establish households who want help probably the most. Every part goes straight to youngsters.
Van Eaton additionally notes why so many individuals give in individual: “Many individuals, civilians and navy veterans solely donate in individual after they can to Toys for Tots due to the historical past and connection. It is such a tremendous program.”
Get Concerned Proper Now
The 2025 drive runs via mid-December in most areas, so there’s nonetheless time to pitch in.
Drop off a brand new, unwrapped toy at 1000’s of assortment bins nationwide, discover areas on the official Toys for Tots web site by coming into your zip code. Financial donations go additional as a result of the inspiration buys in bulk and stretches each greenback.
Need to volunteer? Native campaigns at all times need assistance sorting toys, staffing occasions, or driving vehicles. Some areas host toy runs, golf tournaments, or vacation events the place you may hand presents to children your self.
In case your neighborhood does not have a marketing campaign, you may even apply to begin one via Marine Forces Reserve.
This vacation season, Toys for Tots proves the Marine Corps is about greater than preventing wars. It is about preventing for teenagers who simply wish to imagine in Christmas magic.
