Toys for Tots
toy tot program run united state marine corp reserve distributes toy child whose parent cannot afford buy gift christmas founded reservist major bill hendricks marine toy tot foundation c notforprofit public charity located triangle virginia fund raise fund support program toy tot began los angeles charitable effort major bill hendricks usmcr inspired wife diane tried donate homemade raggedy ann doll needy child could find organization suggestion gathered group local marine reservist including lieutenant colonel john hampton coordinated collected toy local child year collection bin placed outside warner bros movie theater jon b riffel also helped found organization effort successful feasibility report marine using national public relation recruitment tool written maj donald g clarke usmcr toy tot launched national campaign hendricks used position director public relation warner brother studio enlist celebrity support well walt disney animator design red toy train logo theme song program written sammy fain paul francis webster would recorded nat king cole jo stafford peggy lee among others marine reservist frequently dress blue uniform volunteer would collect refurbish used toy new toy accepted reservist longer able dedicate drill hour refurbishing toy well legal concern prevent accidental giving recalled item mixed message giving handmedowns message hope secretary defense authorized creation affiliation nonprofit charity foundation secretary defense approved toy tot official mission marine corp reserve noting many community marine reservist presence commander marine force reserve authorized marine corp league detachment local organization fill gap toy collection distribution program received support first lady michelle obama placed first collection box white house december took part toy tot activity joint base anacostiabolling toy tot program foundation collected distributed million toy program draw interest multiple celebrity appreciate youth aspect charity backstreet boy inspired young band first day school band raised money charity busking donated portion charity name today charity expanded yearround effort extend support underprivileged child across nation outside christmastime literacy program dedicated towards providing ageappropriate book child lowincome neighborhood break cycle poverty toy tot also native american program donates toy book child participating remote reservation collaborative support office vice president navajo nation navajo literacy program mission program collect new unwrapped toy distribute toy less fortunate child christmas stated goal deliver new toy christmas message hope less fortunate youngster assist becoming responsible productive patriotic citizen however since initial conception mission statement toy tot expanded effort yearround promote literacy amongst underprivileged child literacy program provide toy book native american child native american program outstanding nonprofit organization year dma npf reader digest best childrens charity one top charity forbes gold star list charity navigator four star rating operation toy drop article incorporates public domain material website document united state marine corp marine toy tot foundation marine toy tot toy donation location