Doing our Part for the Kids
Every year the staff of Allegany State Park collect unwrapped toys for the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation. Today the Marines arrived to pick up all these wonderful toys to be distributed to many needy children in the local community.
My photo opportunity with a Marine & some of the Toys.
The Toys for Tots Foundation was started by a Colonel William L. Hendricks in 1947 after his wife tried to donate a toy she had made. Unable to find any local organizations, they started their own foundation and collected 5000 toys that year. It was such a huge success that they went nation wide and over the years distributed more than 351 million toys to nearly 166 needy children. To hear more about the history behind this foundation, please visit their website at www.toysfortots.org .
We always try to remind everyone who donates toys that it isn’t just little children who are needy. It is also the older children who are easily over looked and could use some items like makeup, basketballs, or even card games. If you have not donated any toys yet, please try to find a drop off locations near you. If not, try to schedule your office to start collecting toys for next year! (Vicki, great job organizing this!)
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This is so cool Tom! We’re collecting toys for kids in one of the local hospitals here. My heart goes out to kids in need, for sure.
11 December 2007 at 7:48 pm
Way to go Monarch!!!! Keep up the good works.
11 December 2007 at 7:50 pm
I remember this from last year-she looks very serious, but I guess a Marine has to be. Looks like a great haul for the kids-way to go Santa!
11 December 2007 at 8:51 pm
Very good work! The best part is it benefits the kids – but it makes you feel good too!
11 December 2007 at 8:57 pm
How considerate of you! Down here my friends & I hold quarterly food drives for Second Harvest food bank. If everyone did a little, a lot would get done, y’know?
11 December 2007 at 9:44 pm
@ Pam – so glad to hear you guys are doing the Toys for Tots also! HIGH FIVE!
@ Lisa – I just squeezed in for the photo opportunity! One of our fellow workers is the one who did everything for this!
@ Marg – I did barrow much of the text from last year but these pictures were from today! Probably couldn’t figure out why I wanted a photo! 🙂
@ John – thanks and let’s not forget the older ones also! Most of the time we only kid the little kid toys!
@ Lana – How I agree about everyone doing a little how much would get done!
11 December 2007 at 9:51 pm
“351 million toys to nearly 166 needy children”
… those are some lucky kids
11 December 2007 at 10:04 pm
Giving to others is such a wonderful way of marking the holiday season. Thanks for starting the conversation.
11 December 2007 at 10:57 pm
This is such a great thing you have participated in. I am very proud of you. There will be so many kids who appreciate this. ~nita~
11 December 2007 at 11:59 pm
you’re right: if we all did a little, we’d do a lot. thanks for sharing a bit of season goodwill with the kids and with us.
12 December 2007 at 2:22 am
Our community college participates every year and I find it to be a lot of fun. It gives me an opportunity to go to a toy store and I always enjoy meeting the Marines during their pick-up.
12 December 2007 at 5:52 am
@ Nick – sure are!
@ Momonthego- just those few little things that can help make someones day better!
@ Nita – I am so glad for those who take the time to organize these! We just need to do our part in participating! Thanks
@ Wren – even with gas prices etc. . . others don’t have money for food! This is just a little big to help during the holiday season.
@ Mary – It is fun doing a little shopping! The past few years I have been trying to get some older kid toys!
12 December 2007 at 7:22 am
Outstanding, what a great cause.
12 December 2007 at 8:32 am
Congratulations on doing such a fine thing for the children of your community!
12 December 2007 at 11:55 am
Great work Tom , this is a great organization we work with every year as well 🙂
12 December 2007 at 12:09 pm
Super job Mon@rch and kudos for the state park staff for their efforts!!
12 December 2007 at 2:01 pm
Looks like a lot of people donated! That is wonderful, Tom.
12 December 2007 at 4:23 pm
That’s a nice collection of toys – great job on doing this for the kids.
12 December 2007 at 5:37 pm
@ erie – thanks
@ threecollie – I only got presents but was glad to have been able to do that!
@ Bernie – thanks and great to hear you are doing the same!
@ Birdfreak – thanks and we are only a small slice in the cake . . . many more are so helpful!
@ Lisa – this is only our first pick-up! We have many others that bring things at the last minute! They always come for the early pick-up to start wrapping and planning!
@ Marty – I am not the one organizing it but I am helping spread the word!!
13 December 2007 at 7:10 am
Great Job Tom! I’ve donated to toys for tots.-It’s a great idea.
13 December 2007 at 11:00 pm
Tom-
I think it’s a wonderful organization to support. Being a former Marine myself, I might be a bit biased. Job well done to you and the staff!
-Kaz
14 December 2007 at 12:15 pm
You’ve made a GREAT Santa’s helper! I’m sure a lot of kids will enjoy these toys!
Kudos to you!!
14 December 2007 at 7:38 pm
This really is probably one of the best causes out there… at least what we can do state side. Excellent work Tom.
15 December 2007 at 1:30 am