The Toys for Tots program initially began in 1947 in Los Angeles, CA, and has since expanded to include 782 communities covering all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The goal of the program is “to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.” Since Toys for Tots first began, the Marines have distributed more than 512 million toys to more than 237 million less fortunate children around the country.
