As our office slowly fills with toys as part of the Metro Magic holiday toy drive, one of the groups we’re working with to distribute the gifts is Toys for Tots, which began in 1947 by a group of U.S.
Marine reservists. It has since grown into one of the largest nonprofits in the nation.
Every year the Marines deliver toys to charities, churches and even to the NYPD to distribute.
Sgt. Eric Worth, of the New York division of Toys for Tots, said they focus on collecting gifts for infants and kids up to 12 years old.
“There’s really no stipulation on the type of gift, as long as it’s new, unopened, and unwrapped,” he said.
Demand is particularly high this year, and funds are short, Sgt. Worth said, mainly due to the lingering economic recession.
“Unfortunately the national economy is definitely a concern,” he said.
