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TOYS FOR TOTS FOUNDATION

October 19, 2014 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Triangle, Virginia

Toys for Tots Poster (cityofpevely.org)

Toys for Tots Poster (cityofpevely.org)

Because toys have become such an integral part of Christmas, it is not surprising that many charitable organizations are involved in the collection and distribution of toys throughout the holiday season.  The greatest and best known of these is the Toys for Tots Foundation, whose mission is to “collect unwrapped toys… and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted”.  Over the last two decades, Toys for Tots has distributed on average about four and a half million toys every year.

Toys for Tots had its humble beginnings in 1947, when a Marine Corps Reserve officer, Major William L. Hendricks, organized a small toy drive in the Los Angeles area.  At the suggestion of his wife, who wished to donate a homemade toy to a poor home, Hendricks worked with his reserve unit to collect and refurbish toys.  Called Toys for Tots, the drive was a success, and over five thousand toys were distributed in the local community.  It was also a major public relations bonanza for the United States Marine Corps, who decided to institutionalize it.

Toys for Tots (wikipedia.com)

Toys for Tots (wikipedia.com)

The next year, Toys for Tots went national.  Marine Reserve units all over the country went about collecting and distributing toys throughout the holidays, aided by the publicity efforts of Hollywood studios and celebrities.  It was a wild success, and a permanent foundation was established in 1991 in order to facilitate toy collection, fundraising and other charitable work.  Toys for Tots is now regularly counted every year among the Philanthropy 400, and is, along with the Salvation Army, the most visible and popular charitable organization active during the holiday season in the United States.

The Toys for Tots Foundation is located just outside of the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Triangle, Virginia, approximately thirty miles southwest of Washington, D.C.  Although there is not much to see, bring a toy or donation and shake the hands of someone who has devoted their life to bringing joy to children at Christmas time.  There is no cost for admission.  Web: www.toysfortots.org (official website of the Toys for Tots Foundation)

Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: US-Mid Atlantic

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

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Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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