Toys for Tots
Coming into a difficult holiday season for many, PlanetOne’s From the Heart initiative this quarter is supporting Toys for Tots. Each employee was allocated $25 to select a toy which was delivered to PlanetOne’s holiday tree in preparation for distribution to Maricopa County children in need.
Toys for Tots began in 1947 as the brainchild of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and his wife, Diane. Diane asked Bill to deliver a few handcrafted dolls to an agency that supported children in need – but when Bill reported back that he could not find such an organization, she urged him to “start one!” That first year, Maj Hendricks and the Marines in his reserve unit in LA collected and distributed 5,000 toys. Seeing such successful community engagement in 1947, the Commandant directed all Marine Reserve Sites to implement a TFT campaign transforming it into a national community action program in 1948.
Bill Hendrick’s civilian job was Director of Public Relations at Warner Brothers Studios. He was friends with many celebrities who he asked to help support the newly created Marine Toys for Tots Program. As a personal friend and as a favor to Bill, Walt Disney designed the first Toys for Tots poster which included a miniature three-car train that was subsequently adopted as the Toys for Tots logo.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, was established in 1991 at the behest of the Marine Corps to help run and support the Marine Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation raises funds, purchases toys, provides promotional and support materials, manages all funds raised and donated, solicits corporate support, educates the public, and handles day-to-day operations. Presently, the Marine Toys for Tots Program distributes an average of 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children annually.
Get Involved and Make a Difference
To connect with your local Marine Toys for Tots Campaign to donate, volunteer and help give the joy of Christmas to less-fortunate children visit: https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/toys.aspx
For more information on PlanetOne’s From the Heart initiatives visit https://www.planetone.net/company/fromtheheart/
