Toys for Tots provides comfort to families who were so tragically impacted by tornados

Our Nation mourns for the people of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee who were so tragically affected by the devasting tornados last weekend. Our local Toys for Tots campaigns are working to ensure that the children who lost so much will receive something tangible on Christmas morning. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is also working with our phenomenal partner, Good360, to distribute truckloads of toys, books, and other gifts to impacted families in areas where there is no Toys for Tots program coverage.

These families have suffered devasting loss, and the financial and emotional impact will be long lasting—especially for those without the means to recover. At a time when families are already dealing with the challenges of the past two years and scarce resources brought about by supply chain issues, a natural disaster has completely upended their lives. In order to provide comfort, emotional relief and hope to these families, Toys for Tots plans to distribute toys, books, and other gifts to their children. Toys for Tots is more than a Flagship Children’s Christmastime charity – our goal is to provide year-round hope to families in need.

“The past couple of years has been tremendously challenging for just about every sector of our society, and the recent devastation caused by the tornadoes in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee have added to the turmoil. We’re genuinely concerned about the impacted families and want to do what we can to provide hope for families-in-need. In these unrivaled times, we want to offer assistance now,” said LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Good360 who has answered the call to help get these toys into the hands of families in need as soon as possible.”

Toys, books, and other gifts offer many benefits during this time of need. They will help to combat boredom, relieve anxiety in children, facilitate a return to normalcy, and hopefully contribute to the educational development of our nation’s most precious resource – our children.

“The challenges associated with disaster recovery are made all the more harrowing in the midst of the winter holiday season,” said Matt Connelly, CEO of Good360. “Long after the news cycles have moved on, Good360 and our partners will be here helping survivors weather the years-long road to recovery by providing a variety of goods, including personal and household items, rebuilding materials, and emergency relief supplies. That’s why we’re grateful for trusted donors, like Toys for Tots, who consistently show up for families in need. The toys and games they donate will be with children throughout that process.”

Toys for Tots and Good360 have complementary strengths, and this partnership continues to generate greater impact. Together we are more than just the sum of our parts – which presents us with the opportunity to provide assistance and relief when it’s needed most.