Over the years, it’s become one of the area’s most significant Christmas traditions. We’re talking Toys for Tots.

Although Thanksgiving has yet to arrive, it’s not to early to begin planning to participate in a program that brings Christmas cheer, joy and happiness to children who otherwise might have a Christmas without smiles. There are similar programs in the area, programs such as angel trees and the distribution of food boxes. That’s a testament to the giving and caring nature of residents.

Area merchants, civic groups, book clubs and other organizations have adopted Toys for Tots as their primary Christmas charity.

Ever wonder how the Marine Corps Reserve started Toys for Tots?

Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Maj. Bill Hendricks, a Marine Corps reservist, and a group of fellow reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed about 5,000 toys to needy children in that area. The Toys for Tots notion came from Hendricks’ wife, Diane, who made a Raggedy Ann doll and asked her husband to deliver it to an organization that would give it to a needy child. When Hendricks discovered that no such group existed, his wife told him to start one. Like a good Marine, he followed orders and did so.
The 1947 campaign was so successful the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. From 1947 through 1979, Marines collected and distributed new and used toys. On Reserve drill weekends in October, November and December, Reserve Marines refurbished the used toys. From 1980 to the present, the Marines have accepted only new toys for the program. In 1991, the Toys for Tots Foundation was established to support the Toys for Tots program.
In 1995, Toys for Tots became an official program of the Marine Corps and an official mission for the Marine Corps Reserve.
As they did with the situations at Tripoli and Iwo Jima, the Marines have prevailed with Toys for Tots. Want proof? It’s the smiles on the faces of children who receive the toys the Marines collect and distribute.

Semper Fi!