NOVEMBER 9, 2022 www.wintertexantimes.com 18 WINTER TEXAN TIMES NOWAVAILABLE ONLINE www.WinterTexanTimes.com 2022 Park Directory Winter Texan TIMES Serving Winter Texans FromMission To South Padre Island Since 1987 Published By: Park Directory RIO GRANDE VALLEY MOBILE HOME & RV M 2022-2023 2 EDITION Winter Texan TIMES Serving Winter Texans FromMission To South Padre Island Since 1987 Published By: 2022-2023 Edition 2022 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide showcase the incredible effort from communities across the Nation that has enabled Toys for Tots to support over 281 million less fortunate children. The U.S Marines, along with 55,000 volunteers, millions of local supporters, hundreds of corporate partners, and others, have started collecting gifts and will continue to do so until December 25. Across the Nation, one in six million children are living in poverty. The mission of Marine Toys for Tots is to bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children with the goal of delivering a message of hope that will inspire youngsters to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. The objectives include having a positive impact on the development of children, creating or restoring self-esteem, and bringing all elements of communities together in a common cause for three months each year. Now, in Toys for Tots 75th year, they are asking supporters to make this important milestone another record-breaking year. It is their goal to deliver the magic of the holidays to every family seeking holiday help from Toys for Tots. As our Nation has faced the many challenges and national crises over the past 75 years, the American public has never let Toys for Tots down. Our Marines and volunteers have been able to support millions of children in need year after year. Marine Toys for Tots had a record-breaking year in 2021 and distributed an unprecedented 22.4 million toys to 8.7 million underprivileged children. The idea of the Marine Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 at the helm of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks. Major Hendricks’ wife, Diane, was the inspiration behind the Program after she asked Major Hendricks to deliver some handcrafted dolls to an agency that supported children in need. When Major Hendricks reported back to his wife that he could not find an agency for the handcrafted dolls, Diane encouraged her husband to “start one”! The Marine Toys for Tots Program began as just one campaign in 1947 with Major Hendricks and the Marines in his Reserve unit collecting over 5,000 toys and delivering them to children in need in the Los Angeles area. The following year, under the direction of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Clifton B. Cates, every Marine Corps Reserve unit implemented a Toys for Tots campaign—which transformed Toys for Tots into a National Community Action Program. In recent years, Marine Toys for Tots has distributed millions of educational toys, books, games, and sporting equipment to children in need during the spring and summer months. These children and their families were facing adversity and exceptional circumstances including pandemic related challenges, natural disaster recovery, and other extenuating events. TOYS From pg. 1 Courtesy Photo
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