Toys for Tots first began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR, and a group of Marine Reservists collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. This campaign was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it nationwide. Marines have conducted successful nationwide campaigns each year since 1948. And since 1980, Marines have distributed only new toys.

Today, Toys for Tots campaigns operate in more than 290 communities throughout the United States. Marines collect new, unwrapped toys in October, November and December. Thereafter, Marines distribute toys to the needy children of their communities through local social welfare agencies and church groups. The 2003 Toys for Tots campaign was the most successful campaign in the 56 year history of the programs. Marines distrubuted 15 million toys to 6.5 million needy children

The most common methods of community participation are:

Public Drop-off Site
As a Public Drop-off Site, representatives set up receptacles in their organizations to collect toys or case donations and allow the public to "drop off" toys throughout the campaign. Promotional materials are provided to help advertise their participation in the collection drive. During the campaign, the organization's personnel periodically count and bag the toys. They then deliver the toys to one of the consolidated pickup site, or call the T4T HOTLINE to arrange for Marines to pick them up. The T4T HOTLINE is publicized throughout the campaign and donors wishing to be matched to the closest public drop-off site will call this number and be referred to your location.

Private Toy Drive
The methods of operating a Private Toy Drive are the same as for a Public Drop-off Site except they are not open to the public.

Single Event
Single events range from a holiday party to a softball tournament. Admission to the event may require the contribution of either a toy or cash donation. Sponsors of these events can receive promotional material and coordinate the pickup of any contributions made. Marines may be invited to attend the event to further promote the campaign.

Consolidated Pickup Site
The logistics of transitioning the National Capitol Area picking up toy donations are grand in scale. A major contribution to these efforts could be made by becoming a Consolidated Pickup Site. Your location would be given to others who wish to donate toys they've collected, but who don't have the means of storing or transporting them to the Marine Reserve Training Center. They would then deliver the toys to your and a Toys for Tots representative will coordinate with your to schedule.

To have your Club be designated as one of the areas, to get the information you need to launch your toy drive or to schedule uniformed marines to come to your event and collect the toys, please visit www.toysfortots.org for the contact information in yoru area.

If you have any questions, please contact Erica Buschner at CMAA National Headquarters at (703) 739-9500.