Toys Distributed to Needy Children Embassy participates in Toys for
Tots, a holiday tradition of giving to the less fortunate
Posted: December 27,
2005
Representatives from
the U.S. Embassy Montevideo including the Marine Security
Guard presented Christmas gifts to children residing in the local orphanages
"Hogar Retoño I", "Hogar Retoño
II" and "Hogar Rambla".
The United States Embassy Montevideo
participated in a toy drive on December 23, organized by the
Security Guard Detachment of the U.S. Marine Corps. The toys
were presented to children residing in the local orphanages
Hogar Retoño I, Hogar Retoño II, and Hogar Rambla.
United States Marines in every community
where they are present organize a massive distribution of
gifts every holiday season under the auspices of the Toys
for Tots program. Marine Reservist, Major Bill Hendricks,
founded Toys for Tots, in Los Angeles, California in 1947.
In 1948 The United States Marine Corps adopted Toys for
Tots, and expanded it into a nationwide community action
project. Walt Disney designed the now famous Toys for Tots
train logo. In 1959 Toys for Tots went international for
the first time distributing toys to children who were survivors
of a catastrophic typhoon that devastated the city of Nagoya,
Japan. In 1991 the Secretary of Defense authorized the Marine
Corps to recognize and work with the Marine Toys for Tots
Foundation. In September of that year the Marine Toys for
Tots Foundation became an operational organization and supported
Toys for Tots for the first time during the Christmas 1991
campaign. The Secretary of Defense in 1995 approved Toys
for Tots as an official activity of the U.S. Marine Corps
and as an official mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Every year the Marines distribute more than
19 million toys to 7.5 million needy children. In Uruguay,
the Marines volunteer their time to organize donations from
staff, identify children in need, sort gifts by age appropriateness,
wrap and deliver the presents. This year a special effort
was made to buy new athletic shoes for children lacking
in adequate footwear. Everyone at the embassy welcomed the
opportunity to participate in Toys for Tots, which has brought
smiles and made the holidays brighter for over 55 years.
Additional
information on the Toys for Tots program available
from the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation website.
