During the months of October, November and December, the local Marine Reserve Units collect new toys and donations to provide toys to children in poor families who would otherwise not be able to afford toys for Christmas. Each year, millions of children across the country are helped the the Toys for Tots program and receive Christmas gifts that they may not have been able to receive by other means. Many times one or more of their parents have been recently laid off and just need a bit of temporary help, other children have experienced a death of a parent, some are in orphanages and foster homes and yet others live in very poor communities.
Collection of Toys
Toys are collected in local events planned by the local unit of U. S. Marine Corps Reserve. Events include such activities as golf tournaments, bicycle races, motorcycle rallies, marathons, walking events and other activities geared toward attracting publicity and to encourage donations.
In communities where there is no Reserve Unit, Marine Corps League Detachments or groups of veteran Marines can be authorized to collect toys for the program.
How to Help
To volunteer to help an existing Reserve Unit in an established Toys for Tots toy drive or event, contact your local U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Unit or use the interactive tool on the Toys for Tots Foundation website to find a local event or group.
To offer your business location as a drop-off site or to start a local organization in an area that does not currently have one, use the link on the Toy Drop Off page of the Toys for Tots website. Click on the drop-down list to find your location. Communities that do not have a program will state this in the drop-down list. Click on the location and fill in the application found in the pop-up window or contact the representative listed.
How to Sign up to Receive Toys
To apply for your child or a child that you know, to be a recipient of the Toys for Tots program, use the Request a Toy link on the Toys for Tots website, then click on the drop down menus to maneuver the website and find your local community. Contact the representative in your area using the contact information provided or fill out the online application to receive further instructions.
Contacting the Toys for Tots Foundation
To contact the U. S. Marine Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation:
- Visit the Toys for Tots website.
- Send an email to mtftf@toysfortots.org
- Fax your request to (703) 649-2054.
- Send mail to - Marine Toys for Tots Foundation,18251 Quantico Gateway Drive,Triangle, VA 22172. If you are sending a donation, complete a donation form and address the envelope to Gift Processing Administrator. Make checks payable to U. S. Marine Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation.
- Fax a completed donation form with credit card information to (703) 649-2054.
The U. S. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation states that it is exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code which makes donations tax deductible.
To learn about the history of the U. S. Marine Reserve Toys for Tots Program, or to find more information please see the Foundation website at www.toysfortots.org.
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