TOYS FOR TOTS

Background on Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots began in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks and his wife Diane – Los Angeles – 5,000 toys distributed to children in need
Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and spread nationally via Marine Corps Reserve units
Bill Hendricks was in civilian life the Director of Public Relations for Warner Bros. Studios and enlisted countless celebrities such as Nat “King” Cole, Bob Hope, John Wayne, Doris Day, Tim Allen, Kenny Rogers, and Billy Ray Cyrus.
First Lady Nancy Reagan and First Lady Barbara Bush served as national spokespersons in 1983 and 1992 respectively.
Goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver a message of hope, which will build self-esteem and, in turn, motivate needy children to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and leaders.
In August 1991, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was established to support fundraising efforts and oversee the management of the Toys for Tots initiative.
Over 58 years, Toys for Tots has distributed more than 332.5 million toys to 157.8 million children in need. The Toys for Tots Foundation has supported Toys for Tots campaigns at a value of $287.2 million.
In 2008, Pittsburgh Cares partnered with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and the US Marine Corps Reserve Unit to enhance the operations of the local Toys for Tots campaign and oversee volunteer management for the campaign.
In 2008, Pittsburgh Cares mobilized 429 volunteers that gave over 1,100 service hours to the Toys for Tots campaign.
In 2008, the local Toys for Tots campaign leveraged 108,173 toys which were distributed to approximately 41,729 children.

Eligibility

The local Toys for Tots campaign covers Allegheny County consisting of approximately 537,000 households with about 12% below poverty and an estimated 1.2 million people.
Agencies requesting toy donations must be registered 501c3 nonprofit organizations.
Qualified agencies must serve children and youth in need between the ages of 0 and 12.
Toy donations are new, unwrapped toys at a value of $10 or more.

Agency Engagement Process

Agencies attend an information session to learn about Toys for Tots’ local campaign on either July 27 or August 6.
Qualified agencies register to receive toy donations for specific children by September 30. Agency registration for Toys for Tots is now closed.
Registered agencies can modify their toy requests between October 1 and 31 by submitting an updated toy request to Pittsburgh Cares.
Agencies will be contacted by Toys for Tots volunteers between December 1 and 15 to arrange a date and time for the agency to pick up their toy donations. All agency requests must be picked up by December 15.
An open house is planned for Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19 for individual families in need that are not enrolled in regional nonprofit programs to pick up a toy donation for their child/children. Proof of identify (adult photo ID, birth certificates for each child) and eligibility (proof of financial or government assistance) are required at the open house registration. More details on the Open House will be posted in late September.

Volunteer Engagement Opportunities

Volunteers interested in supporting the Toys for Tots campaign can register for Toys for Tots volunteer projects on the Pittsburgh Cares calendar (www.pittsburghcares.org) or by contacting Jackie Donahue at jdonahue@pittsburghcares.org / 412-471-2114).
If you agency would like volunteer support in sorting and wrapping your toy donations at your agency site, you can request volunteers through the Pittsburgh Cares’ website (www.pittsburghcares.org) or by contacting Jackie Donahue at jdonahue@pittsburghcares.org / 412-471-2114.
If your employer or a local store / restaurant is interested in serving as a donation drop off site or managing a toy drive, Toys for Tots can provide the location with collection bins, posters, window stickers, etc. Please contact Ashley Popojas at apopojas@pittsburghcares.org / 412-471-2114.