Toys for Tots, a national charity program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, collects and distributes toys to less fortunate children across the country during the traditional Christmas season.
New and unwrapped toys will be accepted at the following locations through Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve):
- Prince William County fire stations
- City of Manassas Park fire stations
- City of Manassas fire stations
- Prince William County Public Safety Training Center (Nokesville)
- McCoart Government Center (Woodbridge)
All toys that are collected will be delivered to the Toys for Tots collection site for processing and delivery to organizations who have already requested toys. Fire stations cannot deliver toys directly to local residents.
Clothes and used toys cannot be accepted, but can be donated to churches and shelters in the community.
The program was started in 1947 in California by Maj. William L. Hendricks, who was inspired by his wife’s efforts to donate a doll to a child in need, but couldn’t find an organization to do so. Maj. Hendricks gathered his fellow Marine reservists to coordinate and collect toys for children.
Hendricks asked for the help of his friend, Walt Disney, to design a poster for the national campaign; the same logo has remained to this day.
