Metro and Local Marines Partner for 2014 Toys for Tots Season

Metro and Marines from the 2nd Civil Affairs Group on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling will partner this holiday season in support of Toys for Tots, providing gifts for children throughout the National Capital Region.

Beginning Dec. 1, Metro riders can donate a new, unwrapped toy at station manager kiosks inside L’Enfant Plaza, Metro Center and Union Station. Toys will be collected through Dec. 14.

“Participating in Toys for Tots gives us opportunities to not only interact with our community, but to enrich the lives of the children who will one day be the future of this community,” said Lt. Col. David A. Johnson, Inspector Instructor, 2nd Civil Affairs Group.

The annual Toys for Tots campaign is a charity in which Marines from Marine Forces Reserve partner with local coordinators and the community to collect new toys for less fortunate children.

“We hope our customers will take advantage of the convenient locations to drop off a toy on their way to work,” said Lynn Bowersox, assistant general manager of customer service, communications and  marketing.  “We also look forward to collecting toys at our headquarters building so that members of the Metro family can participate.”

Toys for Tots was created in 1947 by Marine Major Bill Hendricks.  Five thousand toys were handed out during that first season. The next year the U.S. Marine Corps adopted the program and spread the program across the nation.  Today there are over 700 local campaigns managed by Reserve units, retirees, or individuals who have applied to become local coordinators.  Last year, the Toys for Tots Program distributed over 16 million toys to almost seven million children.

Only brand new, unwrapped toys will be accepted to ensure that the toys are clean and safe for children. Ideal gifts for children include sporting gear, books, hand-held electronics and board games.