Toys for Tots

By Thomas Morrone CFP®, CPA

My sister-in-law Joan and her husband Rick have been a designated Toys for Tot location with the U.S. Marine Corps for the last two years. This year our firm, US Wealth Management, helped with the toy collection effort by inviting our clients to support this program. Our clients answered with extreme generosity with so many beautiful toys and for this Paul and I say thank you for your support. Cathy and I also received additional toys from our friends as well. The success of the program is a result of the efforts of so many people going out of their way to do something to help others. The last day of the toy collection period, Joan and Rick opened their home for last minute drop-offs. It was the day of the first snow storm of the season. The bad weather did not deter people in the least from coming out to bring their donations.

The final tally was close to 350 toys collected. The two marines that came were so grateful and said there will be lots of happy kids because of this generosity. What a great group effort, so many thanks to everyone for all you did. Such team work, heartwarming!

This is a program that our firm will to continue to support in the future and we know our clients will be there alongside us. We thank Joan and Rick once again for being the lead on this and we also thank our clients and friends for opening their hearts and wallets to bring smiles to the faces of others.

So many children will have something under their tree this holiday season thanks to the efforts and success of the Toys for Tots program. Below is the Mission, Goal and Objectives of this program as identified on their website:

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program

Mission: The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

Goal: The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

Objectives: The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

Happy holidays to all and wish everyone the best of health in the years to come.

Until the next Tom's Take...