Toys for Tots

November 06, 2007

Toys for Tots Campaign 2007

United Tractor Trailer School, Inc is proud to announce that we will be working closely with the United States Marine Corps for another successful year with the "Toys For Tots" Campaign.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy childern in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children.  To unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution capmaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distrinuted 5,000 toys to needy children.  The idea came from Bill's wife, Diane.  Diane handcrafted a Raggedy Ann doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas.  When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he shold start one.  He did.  The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign.

The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to "bring the joy of Christmas to America's needy children."

Over the 59 years of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 million needy children.  This charitable endeavor has made U.S. Marines the unchallenged leaders in looking after needy childern at Christmas.  Over its 16 year life span, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has supplemented local toy collections with more than 70.2 million toys valued at more than $387 million.

So please help the Marines bring a smile to a child's face this Christmas with your donation of a new toy!  You can drop off toys at United Tractor Trailer School any time between 8a.m. and 7p.m. Monday through Friday.  Experience the joy of putting a smile on a little child's face, giving hope and love at the holiday's.  Please bring a toy for "Toys for  Tots."

You can drop off your donation at United Tracator Trailer School, Inc : 710 Fuller Rd., Chicopee, MA 01020