What is Toys for Tots?
In 1947, Toys for Tots was founded by a United States Marines Corp member in Los Angeles, with just over 5,000 toys collected before Christmas to deliver to children who may not have celebrated the magic of Christmas without their contribution. In the early 1990s, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was incepted and is now governed by a board of directors comprised of veteran Marines and successful business leaders from across the nation. In the nonprofit’s history, it has distributed over 530 million toys to over 244 million children in the United States.
Wired Production Group Supports Local Holiday Gift Donations
Since 2018, Wired Production Group has been a warehouse and delivery sponsor for Toys for Tots in Linn County. Throughout the fall and winter months leading up to the Toys for Tots distribution days, our warehouse team handles all incoming bulk toy donations from toy suppliers from all across the nation. Multiple pallets of toys and books are delivered to our warehouse and safely stored until the distribution volunteers are ready for the items to be delivered to them.
Why Support Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots not only benefits children but also has a positive impact on communities, on businesses – large and small, on the Marine Corps, and on the nation. As we have a local chapter in our community, we recognize that this is where our staff live, work, and play. Our families are here. Many of us grew up here. We feel it is important to serve the community in which we live and serve others as we are able.
If you’re interested in getting involved with Toys for Tots in Linn County or your local area, please visit www.toysfortots.org to find your local chapter. You can get involved in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
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- Collect toys: Are you, your family, your business, or your organization interested in hosting a toy drive? Collection boxes will be distributed to community hosts in late October, and collections will be made the first week of December. Connect with your local chapter to sign up as a collection site or register your event. Many local chapters also host virtual toy drives where you can be a part of promoting this virtual collection experience.
- Make a donation: Toys for Tots accepts donations of new, unwrapped toys and books and monetary donations. Monetary donations can be accepted online or by mail.
- Volunteer: Volunteers are what makes Toys for Tots possible! From organizers behind the scenes to volunteers sorting toys to trucking companies hauling large toy donations to groups helping families shop at the Toy Shop during distribution days, plenty is to be done! Currently, The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids handles all volunteer registration online.
Want to see more behind the scenes of our local Toys for Tots experience? Follow Toys for Tots Linn County on Facebook or Wired Production Group on Instagram. Our team at Wired Production Group looks forward to continuing our partnership with Toys for Tots in 2024 and many years to come!