Marines of the local Marine Corps League, Detachment 1325, serving Fayette and Coweta counties have announced the start of the 2016 Toys for Tots Drive.
The first event this season is the fifth annual Toys for Tots Kick-Off Classic scheduled for Friday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. during the McIntosh-Starr’s Mill football game.
Marines and Toys for Tots representatives will be collecting money and toys prior to the game and through halftime. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Marines will recognize and present a trophy to the high school that collects the most money. Last year, Starr’s Mill edged out McIntosh and almost $1,000 was collected.
Toys for Tots began in 1947 when a Marine major attempted to donate a Raggedy Ann doll that his wife handcrafted so that a charitable organization would give it to a child in need. However, no such charitable organization existed at that time, so he started one with his Marine Reserve unit.
In 1948, the United States Marine Corps Reserve took over the program and has expanded it to the present day nationwide multi-million toy distribution foundation. In 2015, the national Toys for Tots foundation collected and distributed over 16 million toys to nearly 7 million deserving children by working with 762 local Toys for Tots organization throughout all 50 states.
The Toys for Tots foundation continues to meet its operational goals of keeping expenses low. It only spends 3 percent on fundraising and overhead while 97 percent of its donations go toward providing toys, books, and other gifts to less fortunate children.
The Fayette Toys for Tots program began seven years ago when the local Marine Corps League Detachment 1325 took over responsibility for the collection and distribution in Coweta and Fayette counties. Previously the program was run by a Marine Corps Reserve Unit that continues to serve the metro Atlanta area.
The local program has grown from its 2010 inception when it provided toys to 2,800 children. During last year’s 2015 drive, Marines distributed over 17,000 toys valued in excess of $235,000 to nearly 5,000 children in need throughout Fayette and Coweta counties. This was done with an all-volunteer force comprised of members from our local Detachment of the Marine Corps League, community volunteers, and the generosity of local residents.
The toys and money collected are used in Fayette and Coweta counties until the local need is met. The exceptional generosity of businesses and county residents make it possible to bring Christmas joy to our local children in need by partnering with local churches, non-profits, and county governmental organizations to help distribute the toys.
Collection boxes will be available in early November at local Publix stores, all Piedmont Healthcare establishments, select businesses, fire departments, and city offices. Last year, over 150 establishments in Fayette and Coweta counties signed up to serve as official toy drop sites.
For more information, visit newnan-ga.toysfortots.org. Emails can be directed to Michael Keever at Fayettetoysfortots@hotmail.com.
