Marine Toys for Tots is more than a Christmastime charity—the Program provides support and hope to children in need no matter the time of year.

As part of our special summertime distributions and our Foster Care Program, children in the Foster Care System in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, received backpacks full of supplies—and possibilities. Local Mount Laurel Toys for Tots Coordinator, Gina Capate, and her team of volunteers turned a simple distribution event into a powerful moment of affirmation for 250 local foster children. Hosted at a community venue in the area, the event provided not just backpacks and school supplies—but a sense of belonging, dignity, and celebration.

Each child entered the space with a designated arrival time, greeted by volunteers and handed a backpack filled with essential school supplies. But the experience didn’t stop there. Children chose two books to tuck inside their bags, posed for photos at a cheerful photo booth, and left with snacks and water—small gestures that added up to a big impact.

Thanks to the generosity of Parker McCay Law Firm, high-quality backpacks were donated and packed with care by their executive staff alongside Toys for Tots volunteers. “Packing backpacks was a small act, but knowing they’ll carry hope and confidence into the school year made it deeply meaningful,” said one volunteer.

Every item distributed was sourced through local donations, a testament to the strength and compassion of the Mount Laurel community. From the moment the foster children stepped through the doors, each child was welcomed into a space designed just for them—a place where joy, choice, and care were front and center.

One foster child said, “I picked a book about space and one about animals. I’m going to read them both tonight!”

With coverage from Fox29 and Channel 6 ABC, the event’s message reached far beyond the venue walls. Coordinator Gina Capate’s leadership and dedication to year-round engagement helped elevate the visibility and credibility of the Toys for Tots Program, reinforcing its mission that the Program stands ready to assist children and families in need whenever hope and help are needed most.

Together, we can transform every backpack into a vessel of hope and give children in need the confidence to step through the school doors ready to learn.