WASHINGTON (7News) — On a chill Monday morning, US Marine troops made several stops around the District to collect the Toys for Toys boxes.
The team, driven by D.C.’s Big Bus Tour company, stopped by at least six locations to meet employees and collect the toys from the months-long toy drive.
“We started on Oct. 1,” Sgt. Sean Clark told 7News. “We have about 36,000 kids that we’re trying to support.”
SEE ALSO | Donate to Toys for Tots and See Santa at Mall at Prince George’s through December 24
The toys that are collected by the Marines are transported to a warehouse, where they are sorted and then distributed to non-profits and churches that have direct access to kids and families in need.
The Marine Toys for Tots Program was created by the Marine Corps in 1947. The organization has collected and distributed millions of toys to children in need for nearly 80 years.
“It’s been very successful that way,” Clark said.
US Marines partner with Big Bus Tours Washington D.C. to collect Toys for Tots
Some of the locations included: Five Below, Cube Smart, 1850, Capitol One Arena, Union Station, and the D.C. Fire and EMS fire station – thousands of toys sat waiting to be collected.
“Working with Toys for Tots is a big program that we do that helps immensely with community outreach,” Gunner Sergeant Tyler Eickenhorst told 7News. “And being a father of three myself, especially little ones, it is a joy seeing the happiness on children’s faces when they get gifts, and I want to help share that with the community as well.”
For other Marines, serving with Toys for Tots is a full-circle moment.
SEE ALSO | Spread holiday joy: Join 7News in donating to Toys For Tots
“Growing up, my mom and my family, we actually got donations from Toys for Tots. So this is great that I can be on the other side or helping out families when they’re in a situation they’re in,” U.S. Marine Gregory Edwards told 7News.
“It’s amazing that people are out there willing to give, willing to help families in need. It’s awesome that I can be a part of it, making sure these families are able to have wonderful Christmases,” Edwards added.
To donate or request a toy, find your local chapter of Toys for Tots. Donation deadlines vary by location.
