Each year, at the conclusion of the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation selects its Regional and National Campaigns & Coordinators of the Year. The winners are selected based on several specific criteria. Most importantly, executing a local campaign that epitomizes the highest honor and traditions of the United States Marine Corps that assists as many children-in-need as possible in their local community.
Last year, Marines, Sailors, and volunteers in 832 communities across the Nation, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, assisted over 8.7 million children with 22.4 million toys, books, and games. Out of those 832 local Toys for Tots campaigns, twelve (12) were selected as Regional Coordinators / Campaigns of the Year and two (2) were selected as National Coordinators / Campaigns of the Year. The following is a list of these outstanding fourteen (14) Campaigns:
Marine Corps Unit Regional Coordinators / Campaigns of the Year
Region 1: GySgt Brian Baez; Brooklyn, NY – 6TH COMM BN
Region 2: Sgt Andrew Duval; Charleston, SC – DET 3, SUPPLY COMPANY, CLB-451
Region 3: Sgt Anthony Palagallo; Pensacola, FL – MATSG-42
Region 4: SSgt Warren Ory; Kansas City, MO – CLR-4
Region 5: Sgt Thomas Smith; Minneapolis, MN – MWSS-471, DET A
Region 6: Sgt Bryan Graciano; Yuma, AZ – VMFT-401
Local Community Organization Civilian Volunteer Regional Coordinators / Campaigns of the Year
Region 1: Stephen Topilnycky – Ossining, NY
Region 2: Robert Sukel – Medina, OH
Region 3: Terry O’Dell – Decatur, AL
Region 4: Pat Moriarty – Jasper, IN
Region 5: Garrett Nemec – Waller, TX
Region 6: Leonard Borrow – Sedona, AZ
Marine Corps Unit National Coordinators / Campaigns of the Year
Region 6: 1stSgt Julian Dan; Twentynine Palms, CA – COMPANY D, 4TH TANK BN
Local Community Organization Civilian Volunteer National Coordinators / Campaigns of the Year
Region 5: Bryce Parks; Dubuque, IA
These exceptional Marines and volunteers will be recognized at a Local Coordinator Dinner held in conjunction with the Foundation’s Annual Coordinator Training on Friday, 9 September 2022. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation congratulates each of these individuals and all the Marines and volunteers that made their selection possible.
The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation’s primary goal is, through the gift of a new toy, to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children. The mission of collecting and distributing new, unwrapped toys to our Nation’s most precious resource – its children – is carried out by tens of thousands of Marines, sailors, and volunteers across this great Country. By doing so, they provide that beacon of hope to millions of children. They have accomplished this mission for 74 consecutive years.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 in Los Angeles, and since the first National Campaign in 1948, Marine and volunteers have distributed more than 627 million toys to 281 million children.