May is National Foster Care Month, and the Marine Toys for Tots Program is expanding its support beyond the holiday season to deliver emotional comfort and gifts to children living in Foster Care. The Program’s initiative, Champions for Those in Foster Care, will provide toys, books, and other gifts to be distributed to foster care children through local organizations across the country. “These children leave their homes with only a small plastic bag of their belongings. Marine Toys for Tots wants to give foster care children not only something tangible to take with them as they move, but also some tools and hope for a brighter tomorrow,” said LtGen Jim Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
These children are placed temporarily in group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living homes. Toys for Tots provides resources that help these children during extremely stressful and trying times with the goal of reducing their anxiety and making a positive impact in their lives.
This initiative highlights how Marine Toys for Tots is a year-round force for good, positively impacting children beyond the holiday season. In 2022, the Program supported over 447,000 children in the Foster Care system.
In 2023, the Program will provide toys and books to children living in Foster Care in the below areas, as part of our year-round support to children in need:
Buena Park, CA—an estimated 400 children will be assisted.
Quincy, IL—an estimated 400 children will be assisted.
Mt Laurel, NJ—an estimated 200 children will be assisted.
Tucson, AZ—an estimated 2,100 children will be assisted.
These events are part of Toys for Tots’ commitment to empowering children in Foster Care and supporting their foster families throughout the year—giving them renewed hope for a brighter future.