The Marines in Philadelphia and throughout the nation are celebrating 62 years of giving in 2009, by once again collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. The Philadelphia Marines' mission is to give hope to underprivileged children and their families in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey areas. Collection sites throughout the city and surrounding suburbs will be clearly marked by the traditional artful Toys for Tots posters, but to truly understand this campaign, is to know the rich history.

The Marine Corps Reserves began a humble campaign in 1947 in Los Angeles California by Major Bill Hendricks (USMCR) The idea came from Bill's wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane handcrafted 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. Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. That year, Marine Corps Reserve units across the nation conducted Toys for Tots campaigns in each community in which a Marine Reserve Center was located. Marines have conducted successful nationwide campaigns at Christmas each year since. The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to "bring the joy of Christmas to America's needy children."

How Does The Toys For Tots Program Work?

The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve coordinates the collection of new, unwrapped presents and then coordinates delivery to appropriate agencies to identify and give the toys to needy children. You can assist the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve by

* Donating to a drop-off location in your community

* Dropping off Cash and Check Donations at many of the drop off locations and upcoming approved events

* Volunteer and get involved in your community with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys For Tots Campaign - In Medford call (609) 744-5448 or email NancyFlynn@ymail.com. For other areas go to www.toysfortots.org

Why Only New Toys?

From 1947 to 1979 the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves collected new and used toys, spending time repairing used toys. This practice changed because:

The Reservists must maintain their duties for Defense purposes and no longer have the time to repair toys

Public awareness to health and safety during the 70's made distribution of used toys a legal issue

"Hand me down" toys did not send the message the Marines wanted to send to needy children - they wanted to deliver a message of hope. A shiny new toy was the best means of accomplishing their goal of building self-esteem and future community leaders.