Toys for Tots short of 'mission' days before Christmas

Raleigh, N.C. — Officials with the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign said they urgently need donations of more toys in the days before Christmas.

There aren't enough toys in the charity's Raleigh distribution center to go out to all the children in the nine counties served, said Lee Cox, a Toys for Tots spokesman.

"We don't have enough toys to meet the mission," Cox said.

Normally, Cox said, reserve Marines, local social workers and church members would have been out distributing toys on Saturday. But this year, they hadn't collected enough toys to start the operation.

"We have to be able to get these toys in and distribute them no later than Tuesday, and that's pretty late," Cox said.

Toys can be donated at more than 200 drop-off locations throughout nine counties through Monday and Tuesday. Monetary donations to fund the group's efforts can be made through Christmas Eve.

Toys for Tots of Raleigh collects and gives out toys to children in Wake, Durham, Johnston, Sampson, Orange, Chatham, Franklin, Vance, Warren and Granville counties.

For 61 years, Marine Corps reservists have given new, unwrapped toys to needy children. It is "a message of hope" aimed at motivating children "to grow into responsible, patriotic citizens and community leaders," according to the national group's Web site.

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Latest Comments

I have a real problem with this story. I donated toys this year and as of today, they have not yet been picked up. The manager of the store said marines were going to be accepting donations as well as mix101.5. For some reason, the pickup was cancelled on the 16th and he did not know when anything would be done. Before you begin blaming people not believing in God, why not accept responsibility that the marines left some toys behind. After reading this story and knowing the truth, I will no longer donate to Toys for Tots. There are others that need the donations that will greatly appreciate it.

raldude
December 22, 2008 4:39 p.m.

Ratnix,

You are so right. We aren't designed for this mission. This year we have succeeded on a national level. It's not for our incompetence. Many a Marine volunteers his of duty time for this program at a cost to them. These Marines wear their Dress Blues to many events trying to get donations of toys and money. They are responsible for the laundry bill. I know I've done the Toys for Tots before. As for our success it is dependent on the generosity of people such as yourself and others who may want to brighten Christmas for a child. Since so many Americans don't believe in God and think we shouldn't celebrate Christmas the donations get slimmer year after year. It's not just the economy it's faith. Since so many have started losing their faith crime has sky-rocketed. We are such a politically correct society trying to please all that we have ruined our country. So the Corps didn't fail people failed.

Semper Fi, MSGT J

rjernigan6
December 22, 2008 12:51 p.m.

Maybe the parents that need toys can use their cell phones to ask for more toys. Is there anyone in America between the age of 12 and 100 who doesnt have a cell phone? That is besides ME? I can well afford a cell phone-- but I have never found a need for it!