Toys For Tots Thank You

Every December in conjunction with our Holiday Luncheon and Raffle, we ask attendees to bring a new unwrapped toy to contribute to the US Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.

We recently received a thank you from them and wanted to share the text.

Thanks to Maureen Schmitt of Mallory Alexander who coordinates this event every year.  It feels great to do something great for people.

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Dear Caring Friend,

Because your support has played such a significant role in previous Marine Toys for Tots Campaigns, I thought you might like to see just what we were able to accomplish this past year. With your kindness and generosity we were able to fulfill the Christmas dreams of nearly 7 million less fortunate children, who might otherwise have gone without.  Thanks to folks like you we distributed 16.8 million gifts to those children. I simply can’t thank you enough for your help.

Last year was unusually challenging.  Corporate donations were down and just as we were about to begin the program there was a sequestration of our budget and then the actual shut down of our government.   Despite that frustration and confusion; failure in our mission was simply not an option for the thousands of Marines and volunteers who conduct Toys for Tots Programs in over 760 communities throughout our nation. They rose to the occasion and helped millions of desperate Moms and Dads provide for the holiday needs and dreams of their children.

The dedication to our program of our Marines and volunteers is extraordinary, and so is yours. You played a significant role in our effort to provide deserving children  toys, books or other desired gifts for Christmas.  While we continue to fall short of reaching all of our nation’s less fortunate children, we did our best in 2013, and with your continued help, we hope to reach even more children this year.   After all, every child deserves a little Christmas and is worthy of a visit from Santa.

On behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and all the less fortunate families and children you’ve touched with your love and compassion, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Maybe you’re thinking I’m going to ask you for a donation…I’m not !  I simply wanted you to know that the support you provide Toys for Tots in the summer and fall makes a big difference in the lives of millions of less fortunate children and their desperate parents.  Have a great spring and summer and hopefully we’ll talk again in the fall.

Sincerely,

Bill Grein

Bill Grein

Major, USMC (Ret)
Vice President
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation