WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --- The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program collected and distributed 19 million toys to 7.3 million needy children in 2022.
It took place in over 800 communities, covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
“So many people are very appreciative of what we’re able to do for them because, without this program, they’re never going to be able to do Christmas for their kids,” said Marine Corps Master Sgt. Luis Duran, Toys for Tots coordinator in Dayton. “It’s a very good benefit for the community.”.
Last year, 260 Toys for Tots boxes were collected throughout Greene and Montgomery counties. A total of 8,000 children were registered, and toys were distributed Dec. 10, 14 and 17.
Toys for Tots has operated in the Dayton area for the past 15 years, Duran said. It’s been at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base since 2012.
The program’s mission is to collect new unwrapped toys every fall and distribute them to children at Christmas.
Toys for Tots was founded by Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Bill Hendricks in 1947 in Los Angeles., The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created in 1991.
“The program has gotten so much better; the quality of toys is better; the time they’re in line waiting is cut down shorter, which obviously is the goal,” Duran said. “It makes me feel good that people are very appreciative of what we’ve been trying to do here and to make it more efficient and a little bit bigger outreach to the community.”
Every year, the toy-collection campaign runs from October to December. Community members drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes near local businesses and stores.
Local coordinators pick up the toys and store them in warehouses, where they’re sorted by gender and age.
“My staff here and my volunteer group get together, and we start sorting toys, putting the different ages and genders in different boxes,” Duran said.
Local families can register at https://dayton-oh.toysfortots.org. Once approved, the family receives a confirmation email with the date and time they can pick up the gifts.
“My volunteers go through and we basically do the (toy) shopping in our warehouse,” he said.
Those interested in donating or participating in the 2023 program can also register through the Dayton Toys for Tots website. To volunteer, send an email to dayton.oh@toysfortots.org or call 937-303-0340.