Children are one of our nation’s most valuable resources. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders – civic, business, and social. Alarmingly, approximately 15 million American children live in poverty. Studies reveal that growing up in poverty can have an adverse psychological impact on a child. One of the adverse impacts is low self-esteem – a by-product of little or no hope for the future.
Each child has a choice of two paths to the future. One path leads to a productive life as an asset to the community. The other path leads to a life of dependency on the community for support. Without outside help, the path of least resistance is too often the path to a life of dependency.
The critical social issue is the identification and pursuit of programs, which will create or raise the self-esteem of children, give them hope for the future, and help steer them toward productive lives. One of the best means of dealing with these three poverty by-products is through mentoring programs. Since it is not possible for all children who live in poverty situations to have the benefit of mentoring programs, alternative means of doing the job must be pursued. Fortunately, alternative programs exist. Toys for Tots is one such alternative. It is a unique passive mentoring program that provides a ray of hope for the future.
The new toy which millions of children in need receive each Christmas from Marines, through the Toys for Tots Program, delivers a message of hope. By being excellent role models and setting an example for others to emulate, Marines, through Toys for Tots, perform passive mentoring. Economically disadvantaged children who receive toys through the Toys for Tots program have an opportunity to observe first hand how young men and women, just like themselves, have achieved success. Youngsters readily recognize that Marines achieve their success through adherence to the highest standards of discipline, grooming, patriotism, physical fitness, and moral character.
The fact that Marines are trained for combat and are prepared to face nearly unendurable hardships is not lost on children in need. Nor is the fact lost that these same combat trained Marines find time to be compassionate for the less fortunate members of America’s society. Even more importantly, children are impressed by the willingness of Marines to work overtime to do something for them. Marines set an example for youngsters to strive to emulate.
Toys for Tots has the potential to have the necessary positive influence on the development of this Nation’s in need youth. Current, actual accounts from individuals revel that Toys for Tots had motivated them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.
It is important to point out that U. S. Marines continually improve the Toys for Tots program. For example, from 1947 through 1979, Marines distributed new and used toys at Christmas. Since 1980, Marines have distributed only new toys. One of the principal reasons for the change was that delivering a “hand-me-down” toy sent the wrong message. A second hand toy gives a child the impression that he or she is a “second-class” citizen, worthy only of someone’s cast-off toys. Marines want to create and enhance self-esteem and deliver a message of hope. This can only come in the form of a new toy.
Personal Reflection
If you reflect on your own life and recall what it meant to receive a toy at Christmas, you cannot help but realize the positive impact that a new toy had on your life. Concurrently, you can imagine how devastating it would have been to receive nothing while all your friends received a new toy. Many may recall when a neighbor received nothing at Christmas because his or her family was experiencing hard times. It is painful to think about the impact that a Christmas without a toy had on the child and how adversely it impacted on his or her self-esteem and future. Some never recovered and ultimately never realized their potential.
Each American’s Challenge
Just as each economically disadvantaged child has a choice of two paths to the future, each American has a choice: leave the responsibility of helping children in need to someone else; or take action to enhance the development of America’s children. Most Americans want to make a difference. The problem is how to help, given the hectic lifestyle of the 2000’s. Toys for Tots offers a simple solution for even the busiest American, because it:
- Provides a ray of hope for the future,
- Is a passive mentoring program,
- Has a positive influence on our Nation’s economically disadvantaged children,
- Has motivated children to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders,
- Is a way busy Americans can play a positive role in enhancing the development of children in need,
- Has a positive impact on communities and on the economic posture of businesses, large and small, throughout the Nation. The bottom line is that Toys for Tots makes a difference!
Summary /Conclusion
Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps’ premier community action program. It’s one of the Nation’s flagship charitable endeavors and an American tradition. For over half a century, Marines have been the unchallenged leaders in assisting children in need at Christmas. The Toys for Tots message of hope for the future has motivated this Nation’s youth to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Toys for Tots not only benefits children, but also has a positive impact on communities, businesses – large and small, the Marine Corps, and on the Nation as a whole.
Call To Action
According to child psychologists, mentoring is the most effective means of making a positive impact on the development of children. However, today’s overtaxed mentoring projects can only reach a small percentage of the millions of children who need them. We must pursue alternatives to build/restore self-esteem among children in need and give them hope for the future. Moreover, since children mimic the actions of their elders, children should be exposed to positive role models. Americans from every walk of life can join the Toys for Tots team and be an active participant in the development of this Nation’s most priceless asset – it’s children. The challenge: be a participator, not a spectator. Do your part to assist in the development of today’s children. You will be helping children, your community and your Nation. Your action today will help produce productive citizens for tomorrow. Help us make a difference.
Actions For Toys For Tots Supporters
- Donate a toy to your community’s Toys for Tots Campaign
- Donate your time to assist your community’s Toys for Tots Campaign
- Donate service support to your community’s Toys for Tots Campaign
- Allow Marines to place a toy collection box at your company/business
- Allow Marines to use an empty warehouse to store and sort toys
- Allow Marines to use a vehicle to collect toys throughout your community
- Make a tax deductible donation to Toys for Tots
- Mail donation to:
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
The Cooper Center
18251 Quantico Gateway Drive
Triangle, VA 22172-1776
- Mail donation to:
- Donate online at: www.toysfortots.org
- Donate via CFC: CFC #10400
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