As the holidays are upon us and planning for Christmas arrives, it’s also time to think about doing something special for children in need. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is underway giving local residents an opportunity to purchase a toy for a boy and girl outside their family.
Toys for Tots started more than 60 years ago when Maj. Bill Hendricks, USMCR, and a group of Marine reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed more than 5,000 toys to needy children. Hendricks’ idea caught on and was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots the following year and expanded it into a nationwide program.
In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the U.S. Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. Today, Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps’ premier community action program and one of the nation’s flagship Christmas charitable causes.
Toys for Tots is the only charitable endeavor within the Department of Defense which reaches outside the military establishment to give something back to thecommunities. Toys for Tots has enjoyed over a half century of success because of the support of millions of caring Americans, local communities, and corporate America plus the dedication and hard work of thousands of U.S. Marines.
Toys for Tots is a program which brings all elements of a community together in a common cause for three months each year. The shiny new toy at Christmas lets these youngsters know that someone cares. Area Toys for Tots coordinator Kelly Wilson is in charge of finding enough money and toys to fulfill toy requests for children in the 18 counties throughout Metro Atlanta. Kelly can be reached at 678-887-5179.
Toys for Tots collects only new toys. Organizers ask that toys brought to drop-off points be unwrapped so they can be sorted and given to the right child. Toys are to be appropriate for children from birth to 12 years.
Several East Cobb area drop-off spots are listed below. For a complete list, visit www.northatlanta.toysfortots.org.
- America’s Thrift Store, 2949 Canton Road
- AT&T, 4250 Roswell Road, Suite 300
- Bel Fiore Bridal, 1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 138
- David Douglas Diamond & Jewelry, 3605 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 260
- East Cobb Orthodontics, 2810 Lassiter Road
- Enhance Floors & More, 1847 Roswell Road
- Johnson Ferry Dentistry, 4250 Roswell Road, Suite 110
- Keller Williams Realty Atlanta North, 3730 Roswell Road, Suite 150
- MarketPlace 120, 562 Wylie Road
- MedPost Urgent Care East Cobb, 1401 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 390
- Order of AHEPA, Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 3431 Trickum Road
- Smith Smile Orthodontics, 2323 Shallowford Road,, Suite 101
- Sterling Estates, 4220 Lower Roswell Road
In the photo above: Last month, friends and neighbors of Maj. Edward Jorge, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) and his wife helped collect gifts for the Toys For Tots program. Pictured in the Back Row (L-R): SSgt Dunn, Christine Jorge, Anna Beck, Jenifer Karel, & SSgt Schuldt; Front Row (L-R): Maj Edward Jorge, USMC (Ret.), Greg Karel, & TJ Beck.
