Triangle, VA (May 2, 2023) May is National Foster Care Month, and the Marine Toys for Tots Program is expanding its support beyond the holiday season to deliver emotional comfort and gifts to children living in Foster Care. The Program’s initiative, Champions for Those in Foster Care, will provide toys, books, and other gifts to be distributed to foster care children through local organizations across the country. “These children leave their homes with only a small plastic bag of their belongings. Marine Toys for Tots wants to give foster care children not only something tangible to take with them as they move, but also some tools and hope for a brighter tomorrow,” said LtGen Jim Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

These children are placed temporarily in group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living homes. Toys for Tots provides resources that help these children during extremely stressful and trying times with the goal of reducing their anxiety and making a positive impact in their lives.

This initiative highlights how Marine Toys for Tots is a year-round force for good, positively impacting children beyond the holiday season. In 2022, the Program supported over 447,000 children in the Foster Care system.

In 2023, the Program will provide toys and books to children living in Foster Care in the below areas, as part of our year-round support to children in need:  

• Buena Park, CA—an estimated 400 children will be assisted.
• Quincy, IL—an estimated 400 children will be assisted.
• Mt Laurel, NJ—an estimated 200 children will be assisted.
• Tucson, AZ—an estimated 2,100 children will be assisted.

These events are part of Toys for Tots’ commitment to empowering children in Foster Care and supporting their foster families throughout the year—giving them renewed hope for a brighter future.

About Marine Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots, a 76-year National charitable Program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides year-round joy, comfort, and hope to less fortunate children across the Nation through the gift of a new toy or book. The impact of these toys and books offers 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.  Since 1947, the Program has evolved and grown exponentially having delivered hope and the magic of Christmas to over 291 million less fortunate children. Because the need isn’t just at Christmastime, the Toys for Tots Program also provides support year-round to families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus fulfilling the hopes and dream of millions of less fortunate children beyond the holidays.  The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.  For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.