Toys for Tots campaign commences
Published 11:00 am Monday, October 8, 2018
VALDOSTA – Toys for Tots has started its local campaign.
Current drop-sites are Sonny’s BBQ, PetSmart, United Rentals, Western Auto, Valdosta Police Department, Moody Air Force Base, Simply Southern Gifts, Georgia Power Federal Credit Union, Lowe’s Distribution Center, Sweet Addiction, Pizza Hut and Northbound and Southbound weigh stations at mile marker 23, organizers said.
Each year, the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots holds its campaign from Oct. 1 through Dec. 22. Residents drop off new, unwrapped toys at collection sites located in local businesses.
The toys are collected and stored in a central warehouse until they are ready to be distributed, organizers said. Coordinators with help of volunteers, churches, schools and social welfare agencies distribute the toys to needy children.
Toys for Tots started in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR in Los Angeles. Five thousand toys were collected and distributed before Christmas.
The first toy was a handmade doll from Hendricks’ wife, Diane. Hendricks’ program was so successful that in 1948 the Marine Corps adopted it and expanded it nationwide as the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots.
Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program collected and distributed more than 18 million toys to seven million less-fortunate children.
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an IRS recognized 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. The foundation is the fundraising, funding and support organization for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.
The foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has a 97:3 program-to support ratio.
That means more than 97 percent of donations goes directly to the mission of providing toys, books and other gifts to less-fortunate children, organizers said. The 3 percent is spent principally on support to cover fundraising expenses. Not $1 goes to salaries or any other manpower costs.
To make a donation to Toys for Tots, visit toysfortots.org and list the state and county the donation is for to receive a tax deduction.
Lisa A. Hayden is the coordinator for the Valdosta area covering Lowndes, Echols and Clinch counties. She can be contacted at (229) 563-5885, or honeyhayden@yahoo.com.
To become a drop-site for toys or to make a toy request, complete an application online at valdosta-ga.toysfortots.org.