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 the communities. 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.
For a complete list of drop-off points, visit www.northatlanta.toysfortots.org.
Toys For Tots Drop-off Points
All locations are collecting toys until December 20, unless otherwise noted.
• Bel Fiore Bridal
Tues-Sat: 10am-6pm
Sunday: Noon-4pm
1205 Johnson Ferry Road Suite 138, Marietta 30068
• East Cobb Middle School
Collecting until December 18
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm
825 Terrell Mill Road Marietta 30067
• Jennifer’s Jewelry LLC
Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-4pm
2790 Sandy Plains Road Suite 302, Marietta 30066
• Kids R Kids of North Cobb
Mon-Fri: 6am-6:30pm
3900 Canton Road Marietta 30066
• LA Fitness
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
1453 Terrell Mill Road Suite 145, Marietta 30067
• LA Fitness
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
4400 Roswell Road Suite 126, Marietta 30062
• LA Fitness
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
2550 Sandy Plains Road Marietta 30066
• Learning Express Toys of East Cobb
Mon-Fri: 9:30am-6pm
Sunday: Noon-5pm
1401 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta 30062
• Midtown Tire-Johnson Ferry
Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm
Saturday: 8am-5pm
2950 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta 30062
• Pope High School
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm
3001 Hembree Road Marietta 30062
• Stein Mart
Collecting until December 15
Mon-Sun: 10am-7pm
1309 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta 30068
• All QuikTrip and Publix Supermarkets are collecting toys until December 21.
