Toys for Tots 2021 Christmas Holiday Campaign Kick-Off

October 1, 2021 marks the official kick-off for the Toys for Tots 2021 holiday campaign running through Christmas. 

U.S. Marines and volunteers will be conducting 830 local toy collection and distribution campaigns in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Who: U.S. Marines and 35,000+ volunteers, millions of local supporters, hundreds of corporate partners of Toys for Tots 

What: Marines and volunteers engaging with local businesses, media and individuals within their communities collecting new, unwrapped toys and distributing those gifts to less fortunate children allowing them to experience the joy of Christmas  

When:   October 1, 2021 – December 25, 2021 

Where: Toys for Tots is conducting 830 local campaigns in communities throughout the U.S.  Find a local TFT campaign near you by visiting our website at www.toysfortots.org 

Why: There are an estimated 15 million children living in poverty.  The mission of Marine Toys for Tots is to bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children with the goal of delivering a message of hope that will inspire youngsters to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.  The objectives include having a positive impact on the development of children, creating or restoring self-esteem, and bringing all elements of communities together in a common cause for three months each year. 

Toys for Tots Continues to DoGoodNow

The 2020 “Season of Giving” started early at Toys for Tots due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on families and children across the country. By partnering with both Group Sales and Good360 we were able extend our support outside of the holiday season — and demonstrate that Toys for Tots is more than a Children’s Christmastime charity!

As Toys for Tots looked forward to our Christmas season, we knew that we would face even more challenges. But despite the pandemic, our 808 local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators and 26,000 volunteers across the country adapted to the circumstances, overcame the challenges, and exceeded all expectations. We witnessed extraordinary generosity and support from the American public, volunteers, Marine units, and Local Community Organizations. A record breaking 20.2 million toys were distributed to 7.4 million less fortunate children – an extraordinary accomplishment during “normal” times, but truly astounding during a pandemic.

The support we provided last year, at the height of the pandemic, provided great comfort and emotional relief to struggling families. We recognize the importance of reminding children that there is still joy to be found in simple gifts every day, and Toys for Tots was determined to send a year-round message of hope to less fortunate families and continued to DoGoodNow!

On April 19, 2021, Toys for Tots announced the expansion of their year-round efforts to provide hope to those less fortunate with plans for ANOTHER special gift distribution to children in need. During the summer of 2021, we provided ONE MILLION educational toys, books, and games to the children of COVID-19 impacted families. While we all hoped the pandemic would be in our rearview mirrors soon, we also recognized that the emotional and educational impact it’s had on children will be long lasting. Less fortunate children likely suffered the greatest learning loss by not being able to attend in-person classroom instruction, so Toys for Tots provided toys and books that teach to help them overcome a growing educational gap and stimulate their young minds.

Some of the positive impact can be viewed at https://www.toysfortots.org/news/stories/Default.aspx, but this distribution came at a price.  The one million toys were to be used to augment local toy collection and distribution drives for the upcoming holiday season.   

Toys for Tots is now working diligently with help from its supporters to “refill Santa’s bag of toys” to be able to answer the request of ALL families with children seeking our support during the holiday period.  Help Toys for Tots fulfill the Christmas Holiday dreams of millions of less fortunate children who otherwise may be forgotten, after all – every child deserves a little Christmas. 

About Marine Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots, a 74-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to less fortunate children during each Christmas holiday season.  The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime.  It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community.  Last year the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7.4 million less fortunate children in over 800 communities nationwide.  Since 1947 over 272 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.  For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org. 

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