The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign collects toys for needy children throughout America.  Since 1947, Marines have fulfilled the dreams of millions of disadvantaged children each Christmas.  They do this by providing Christmas toys to organizations and families who request toys.  A shiny new toy sends a message to a needy child that someone cares and that he/she has not been forgotten.  Though the Campaign is Nationwide, the program is specific to the location of the Marine Corps Reserve Unit.  What this means is that the toys and monetary contributions collected in El Paso, stay in El Paso. You can help the Marines this year by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at a local toy drop off location.  The program also accepts cash donations to which toys are then purchased and distributed.  If you choose to make a monetary donation, please make your check payable to “Toys For Tots Foundation”. 
Remember: “EVERY CHILD DESERVES A LITTLE CHRISTMAS.”
 
From El Paso Rhinos and the Marines from Rocket Battery Delta, 2nd Battalion 14th Marines, El Paso, TX.

HISTORY:
Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came from Bill's wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane made 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 should start one. He did.

The 1947 program was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. Since then Marine units across the nation have conducted Toys for Tots campaigns.

The objective is and remains to "bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children.
  
The train logo was designed in 1948 by Walt Disney, this is the same logo used today.   Walt Disney also designed the first Toys for Tots poster which is being used again this year.  There have been several celebrities that have been involved with the program from Nat "King" Cole, Bob Hope, John Wayne, Doris Day, Lorrie Morgan, Johnny Carson, Lynda Carter, John Glenn, Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Louis, Archie Manning, Tim Allen, Kenny Rogers, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush are just a few of the long list of celebrities who have given their time.  NASCAR has also been involved since 2005 having a car on the track.

Local Sponsors:
Walmart, Toys R Us, KFox, El Paso Convention & Performing Arts Center, El Paso Rhinos

LAST YEAR’S NUMBERS:
$20,734.14 Raised
27,281 Children Receiving Toys
27,281 Toys Distributed

WHO GETS TOYS AND WHEN ARE TOYS BEING HANDED OUT?
This year toy distribution goes from Dec 1st until the 23rd
We will be giving toys to organizations that have submitted requests as well as individual request on a case by case basis. No list of names means no toys for that organization.

Events:
Toys R Us Toy Drive, Walmart 48 hour Toy-a-thon, Spooktacular, T4T Golf Tournament, Bike Run, Mrs. Claus (Distribution of toys to Missions), select El Paso Rhino home games