Toys for Tots

Today’s Christmas-time FamSite features the site of a program that has been around for over 200 years. Actually the organization that sponsors it has been around that long, not the program. But it is one that everyone has heard of, and is currently being featured in one of the most original and charming Public Service Announcements I have ever seen.

The program is the Toys For Tots programs, and is sponsored by the United States Marines. Yes, I mean THOSE United States Marines. One of our proudest military organizations takes time out every year (and has for the last 55 of them) to ensure that as many children as possible have a happy holiday season. They accomplish this by distributing internationally (in 1999) over 13.1 million toys to over 5.9 million children. It is the goal of this program to deliver a message of hope, which will build self-esteem and in turn motivate needy children, to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

This is a wonderful program that deserves the continued that it receives, and more. So the next time you see a Marine, remember not only is he ready to defend our country at a moments notice, but he is also, in the eyes of a lot of children, Santa. All I can say to that is “Semper Fi”.

http://www.toysfortots.org/

If you are in need of assistance this year and would like to get onto the list to receive a donated toy, please see the following page to locate your local Toys for Tots chapter.

http://www.toysfortots.org/request_toys/toys.asp