University partners with Toys for Tots for Christmas charity

Toys for Tots began in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1947 when a group of Marines collected 5,000 toys to donate to children in need. The idea came from when the wife of a Marine asked him to drop off a doll she made at a charity that would give it to a needy child for Christmas. As it turned out, no such charity existed. The Marine’s wife suggested he start one, which he did. The 1947 collection was so successful that the idea was embraced by the Marine Corps the next year and collections were held everywhere there was a Marine Reserve Center.

Since its beginning, the Toys for Tots program has undergone a few changes, but has in essence stayed the same. Until 1979, the program accepted both new and used toys. Since 1980, the program has asked for new toys only, for several reasons, one being an increased interest and concern for public health, which made distributing used toys to small children legally risky. Also, some in the program felt that giving needy children hand-me-down gifts was sending the wrong message. Raising funds to support the program and collect toys was made easier in 1991, when The Toys for Tots Foundation became a legally recognized organization.

Since being declared as an official mission of the Marine Corps by the Secretary of Defense in 1995, the collection program has grown to span all 50 states, instead of only those areas near a Marine Reserve Center. One of the most successful collection campaigns occurred just after the September 11th attacks, when collections were held in 388 communities, including D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Over the years, the Toys For Tots program has helped over 188 million children in need.  Georgia State has contributed to that number in the past six years. Since 2003, the Office of Auxiliary and Support Services has teamed up with GSU Athletics to sponsor an on-campus Toys for Tots drive, collecting over 6,000 toys for children in need.

If you would like to contribute the this ever growing program, you can make your donation of a new, unwrapped toy to any of the many locations on campus with Toys for Tots Donation boxes through December 11th. An additional opportunity to make a donation will be at the December 22nd Men’s and Women’s Basketball games.

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1 comments

Christina Mosher

Tue Dec 8 2009 09:33

Not just "jar heads," Marine's are typically very respectful young men and women. I had the pleasure of serving with them on Camp Pendleton. I was a Navy Corpsman, known affectionately as "Doc" to the Marines. Toys for Tots is a great charity. They also hold races around the country. The price of entry is simply an unwrapped toy. Marvelous example of what one simple idea can bring into the world. God bless the Marine Corps and the children who will be receiving these gifts this year!

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