Toys for Tots, a 77-year-old National charitable Program with a local touch, provides year-round joy, comfort, and hope to economically disadvantaged children across the Nation through the gift of a new toy, tool, game, or book. This year, Toys for Tots will impact youth in the Cleveland, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties by partnering with local agencies and organizations. The impact of these toys, tools, games, and books offers economically disadvantaged children recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime.  It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. 

 

As the holiday season begins to draw near, watch for Toys for Tots posters and collection boxes to begin popping up at area businesses and events. Since 1947, Marines, as well as veterans from all branches of service and local volunteers, have been making Christmas wishes come true for economically disadvantaged children. The Toys for Tots progam in our area will not replace any community service organization desiring to provide toys, tools, games, and books to our area youth. Rather, it will augment the efforts of such organizations by providing supplemental toys, tools, games, and books to them so that they, in turn, can distribute these items to the families they serve. Moreover, they can serve even more families this way. Thus, we encourage families to contact their local agency, non-profit organization, or church, which will then contact the local Toys for Tots campaign. Together, we will work cooperatively in providing a positive impact in our area.

 

Through the support and dedication of the American public, the generosity of our Corporate Sponsors, and the tireless efforts of our Marines, Coordinators, veterans, and volunteers, we collectively distributed 25.5 million toys, books, and other gifts to 10.3 million economically disadvantaged children across America in 2023. This year, youth in the Cleveland, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties will have the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful program.

 

Every Child Deserves a Little Christmas!  But, we could never do it without the help of concerned citizens and business leaders. We rely on local businesses and concerned area citizens for assistance in several areas, including: donations of new, unwrapped toys, tools, games, and books, monetary donations, providing toy collections sites, assisting in the transportation and storage of toys, providing a product or service suitable for auctioning, and much more. For the many volunteers who make Toys for Tots possible year after year, Toys for Tots embodies the true spirit of Christmas. The gift of a shiny, new toy - something that most children take for granted - means to a child in need that someone cares, that he/she hasn’t been forgotten, that Christmas hasn’t passed him/her by. Thus, we are asking you to help us send disadvantaged children of our community a message of hope this Christmas through the gift of a new toy, book, tool, or game. If you are a business owner, community leader, pastor, or non-profit organization, we will be happy to talk with you to discuss the Toys for Tots Program and how you can help.

 

Although providing hope and joy at Christmastime is our primary mission—which includes support to remote Reservations through our Toys for Tots Native American Program— we are equally proud of our programs that provide support beyond the holiday season. Through our year-round efforts – such as our Toys for Tots Literacy Program, Foster Care Initiative, and our Disaster Relief activities – Toys for Tots continues to provide comfort and emotional relief to disadvantaged children. Now, with a new year comes new resolve to be an even stronger force for good—because children growing up in poverty deserve nothing less. Today’s children are tomorrow’s future, and Toys for Tots is dedicated to ensuring it’s as bright as possible for children living in challenging circumstances. Join us in 2024 as we continue our year-round mission of providing hope for a brighter tomorrow to children in need.

 

The local 2024 Toys for Tots Christmas Campaign will run from October 1 through December. For more information, contact your local Toys for Tots Coordinator for Cleveland, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties, Matthew Yarnell @ pine.bluff.ar@toysfortots.org You can also donate to the local Toys for Tots campaign by going online to pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org or by using this QR Code:

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Matthew Yarnell, Toys for Tots Coordinator

pine.bluff.ar@toysfortots.org

https://pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org

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