Volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul in Escanaba sort through donated toys. St. Vincents is one of several organizations with which Toys for Tots partners during the holiday season. (Escanaba Daily Press photo)

ESCANABA -Toys for Tots, a nonprofit public charity directed by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, has been collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in less fortunate homes since 1947. This year’s collections are underway, with the local chapter servicing Delta and Menominee counties.

In 1947, Diane Hendricks asked her husband, Major Bill Hendricks of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, to find an agency to pass along some dolls she had made to children in need. Bill had been unable to find such an organization, at which point Diane implored him to start one.

That first year, Hendricks and the Marines in his reserve unit in Los Angeles collected and distributed over 5,000 toys. Upon seeing the success, the Commandant of the Marine Corps directed all reserve sites to implement the program, and Toys for Tots became a national campaign in 1948.

As a civilian, Bill Hendricks worked for Warner Brother Studios and was well connected. Walt Disney himself designed the first Toys for Tots poster, which included the three-car toy train that continues to represent the organization today, and celebrities have spoken highly of the program, which helped it gain further traction.

In 1991, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was established at the behest of the Marine Corps to conduct operations associated with the charity. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit recognized by the IRS, “the Foundation raises funds, purchases toys, provides promotional and support materials, manages all funds raised and donated, solicits corporate support, educates the public, and handles day-to-day operations” for Toys for Tots.

Families may request aid either through Toys for Tots or charities with whom they partner. John Jamison, coordinator for the branch that operates in Delta and Menominee Counties, said that the last day for toy requests is today, Dec. 12, and the final day of collections in the area will be this Friday, Dec. 15.

Banks and boxes may be found in dozens of area businesses. Giving persons are advised that some sites are collecting only monetary donations (via “banks”) while others accept toys themselves (in “boxes”).

With both are T&T Hardware, Eddie’s Tattoo Studio, Cat-Man-Do’s, Nyman Jewelers, Garceau Insurance, Highland Golf Club, Daily Press, Pioneer TV and Appliance, KCL Embroidery, Dew Drop Inn, White Birch and more.

Monetary donations may be made online at toysfortots.org. According to the site, only a small fraction of money raised goes into overhead costs; “97% of every donation goes directly to providing toys to children.”

Toys for Tots of Delta and Menominee has a number of community partners to help complete their mission.

“We are again working with St. Vinnie’s, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist, (and) All Saints Church to distribute toys along with their food and clothing baskets and Angel Tree collections,” Jamison said.

Additionally, the Michigan State Police will be collecting for the charity during their “Stuff a Blue Goose” campaign, which is to be conducted on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Walmart and Elmer’s County Market.

In the Upper Peninsula, Alger, Schoolcraft, Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties are all considered uncovered, and “dependable individuals or organizations” are asked to apply become Local Community Organization Coordinators. People living in these regions who are interested in bringing Toys for Tots to their communities should e-mail mike.stuckey@toysfortots.org.

In 2022, Toys for Tots distributed close to 10 million gifts nationwide.