Toys for Tots Celebrating 75 Years of Christmas Joy

As holiday time draws near, you've likely seen one of those large collection boxes positioned at local business and government office by Toys for Tots. The Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 when Maj. Bill Hendricks, USMCR, collected and distributed 5.000 toys to less fortunate children in Los Angeles, California. The United States Marine Corps adopted the program the following year and expanded it into a nationwide community action program. New toys are donated by community members and distributed by Toys for Tots. By the 1970s the program was collecting and distributing an average of 6 million toys each year. The Toys for Tots Program is a 501(c)(3) non-profit andto date has distributed 627 million toys to children in need.

In southeast Michigan, the program is nearing the end of its collection process but there is still time to participate. Kim Felske is the Toys for Tots Coordinator for Downriver and Western Wayne County. Having been with the program for more than 25 years, she says the program achieves its goal of bringing Christmas joy through the gift of a new toy. "It takes the burden of Christmas off of parents that are struggling for financial reasons. We can provide toys to the kids so no child wakes up on Christmas morning without a toy from Santa," she says.

Felske says her local Toys for Tots campaign serves more than 20,000 kids, so the program depends on the generosity of the local community. "We were all children once; we all remember the magic of waking up on Christmas morning and I can't imagine there being a child who wakes up and there's nothing there. I believe in keeping the magic of Christmas alive," she says. "I can't imagine how hard it is for a parent to have to call or pick up an application and say, 'I can't give my kids Christmas, and I need help.' I don't want anyone to ever be afraid to say that because that's why we are here."

Felske emphasizes there is usually a shortage of toys for children over the age of 8, such as basketballs, craft kits, and jewelry. She says toys and gifts or older children are especially appreciated. She adds that donation boxes will be collected for distribution by Toys for Tots beginning December 12.

To help celebrate Toys for Tots 75th year, Angel's Garage has donated a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 to be raffled off. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Toys for Tots while the winner gets a new classic car. The vehicle is currently on display at the Southgate Ford Dealership. The winner of the raffle will be announced December 15 and the winner need not be present to win. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at http://www.myevent.com/toysfortots.

If you would like to help out, just donate a new, unwrapped toy in a Toys for Tots collection box or provide a monetary donation online. To find a collection location near you or to make a donation go to http://www.toysfortots.org.

Toy drop-off boxes in the downriver area include the Law Office of Brian T. Berry in Allen Park, the 25th District Court in Lincoln Park, and the Bacon Memorial District Library in Wyandotte. Many police and fire departments serve as drop-off locations as well. For a complete list go to http://www.toysfortots.org.