By Dave Maxwell
MCIN
Toys for Tots is a Christmas program that has been in existence since 1947 and to date has distributed 584 million toys to 265 million children.
Local coordinator Tamara Bunch said in Hawthorne there are a lot of low income kids that need toys. The kids range in age from infant to 17.
If you would like to donate a toy, you are asked to call Mrs. Bunch at 775-443-7387.
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major Bill Hendricks in Los Angeles.
In 1991, the Secretary of Defense authorized the creation and affiliation with the non-profit charity foundation. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity is located in Triangle, Virginia, and serves to fund, raise funds for, and support the program.
Bunch said there are a number of donation boxes around local businesses in Hawthorne.
She said, “If a family needs to sign up to receive toys they can sign up at www.Hawthorne.nv@toysfortots.org. and scroll down to the Frequently Asked Questions of How can I request a toy, a new, unwrapped toy or book?
“Toys and/or practical things for the older ones, are delivered Dec. 18 here in Hawthorne,” she said, “and on Dec. 19 in Schurz.”
