Look around this holiday season. It won’t be long before you notice just how many opportunities there are to spread cheer and help families in a variety of ways. Our communities are working especially hard this year to provide holiday magic as inflation continues to eat away at buying power for American families. Toys for Tots helps provide new toys to less fortunate children and delivers holiday magic no matter the economic standing of a family. Learn more about this organization, how to get involved, how VeteranLife is supporting the cause, and how it all got started in the American Armed Forces. Read next:50 Ways to Support the Military Community This Giving Tuesday

What Is Toys for Tots?

Toys for Tots is an initiative run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve

albany.marines.mil[/caption] The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation came to be after the Secretary of Defense allowed the creation and affiliation with the charity as an official 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public organization. This group funds, supports, and raises funds for the program. Its headquarters is in Triangle, Virginia. After watching his wife Diane look for a way to donate a Raggedy Ann doll to needy children, Major Hendricks was inspired to start the charity, as she couldn’t find a place to do so. She suggested getting other Marine reservists to collect toys for local children. Initially, around 5,000 toys were collected in bins found outside popular areas. The following year, a national initiative was launched with much success. Over the years, things changed and grew, but Toys for Tots continued to thrive. Well over 566 million toys have been given to children, and you can also find programs operating all year long to help kids in other ways, including its Literacy Program and Native American Program.

When Does Toys for Tots Start 2022?

Toys for Tots 2022 is going on from October 1 until December 15. During this time, you can make a direct impact in the holiday season for less fortunate families all around the United States. Distribution will be done between December 13 and December 15 for receiving families.

Is Toys for Tots a Good Charity?

When you make a donation to Toys for Tots

VeteranLife Is Doing Its Part

Inspiring people to get involved with the military is a large part of what we do here at VeteranLife, but we’re not just all talk. This holiday season, we’ve partnered with Toys for Tots in hopes of spreading holiday cheer to those who need it most. Here’s how we’re getting involved: “The Marines Toys for Tots is well known, impactful, and a really easy cause to be a part of. All that is asked is to donate a newly packaged toy for ages ranging up to 12. No wrapping [is] necessary. We are also providing the option to donate money if someone wants to help but doesn't have time to pick up a toy,” said Jensi Leatherman, one of our VeteranLife coworkers. “It also provides a way for our remote team to be involved. We will use the funds to toy shop and add to the boxes provided before the Marines come to collect the donations. To start off, we've asked for two boxes to fill and hopefully, we will exceed that goal,” she continued. There are lots of ways to make a difference, and we hope to do our part through this collaboration. We’re proud to begin this tradition and hope to make an impact through the magic of providing gifts during the holidays. If you want to help us contribute, you can scan the QR code in the image above with your phone's camera to be taken to a PayPal donation link.

Who Runs Toys for Tots?

The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve is in charge of running Toys for Tots. It may have started as a holiday tradition, but it’s deeply rooted in the culture of the U.S. military. It feels pretty appropriate, however, as the goal of Toys for Tots is to help those in need. The military is much more than just a fighting force; it also provides great humanitarian aid to those in need. Marines are known for getting the job done. This could mean on the battlefield, through a rescue, after a natural disaster, or however else they’re needed. During the holidays, it means helping ensure more families have a positive experience during this time of peace and celebration.

How To Sign Up for Toys for Tots

If you’re looking to request a toy, click the link and follow the steps. Due to the nature and size of the organization, toy requests are handled by local portions of the organization. Online, you can find the closest Local Marine Toys for Tots Campaign for your community. Toys for Tots has a pretty amazing reach. If you come across a Toys for Tots drop-off in your local area, consider making a donation that will make all the difference in the world for that family. From the Marines collecting 5,000 toys to hundreds of millions of children being affected, this is a holiday tradition that embraces the entire spirit of this time of year. Suggested read:Purple Up Day: Celebrating Military Kids Across the Nation