Toys For Tots 2019: Campaigns Starting In Fairfax City

With the season of giving fast approaching, the Marine Toys for Tots campaigns are set to begin across the country.

The mission of the foundation is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them to less fortunate children at Christmas. The nonprofit public charity was founded at the behest of the Marine Corps in 1991, and is still run exclusively by veteran Marines.

Today, there are hundreds of local campaigns across the United States in which residents can donate toys, apply for toys and even host a Marine Toys for Tots fundraising event.

This year's Toys for Tots campaign in Fairfax City is already underway. Gunnery Sgt. Mack Stuckey is the coordinator for this area.

Nearby drop-off locations include:

• Demaine Funeral Home, 10565 Main St., Fairfax
• Sandy Spring Bank, 12735 Shoppes Ln., Fairfax
• Capital Hot Tubs & Saunas, 11226 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax
• Vision Idea Design / Patriots Pub & Grill, 10560 Main St. Ste. 100, Fairfax

See a full list of area public drop-off locations.

Those collecting toys may drop off at the main warehouse at 736 Warrenton Rd. in Fredericksburg. Donations will be collected through Dec. 12 with the season ending Dec. 15.

Warehouse hours are as follows:

November
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Closed Nov. 21-25

December
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days per week

The following nearby hub sites can take in your toys and boxes at the end of collection. They do not distribute supplies.

• Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fire Station through Dec. 12. Businesses and organizations with large donations can schedule toy pickups within the Fairfax County area through Dec. 12 by contacting the Battalion Chief of Public Affairs Will Bailey at 571-641-0036.

Children selected to receive toys through the program will be notified of the pickup point after their application has been accepted.

Overall in 2018, 106,947 toys were distributed locally and 89,755 children were supported through the campaign in our area.

The local campaigns are conducted annually in over 800 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, according to Toys for Tots. In the past year alone, the foundation collected and distributed 18 millions toys to 7 million less fortunate children.

The nonprofit also partners with 12 major sponsors that have contributed at least $2 million in toys. The sponsors include Hallmark, the Walt Disney Company, the UPS Store and Kmart.

Toys for Tots allows participants to make a donation in 10 different ways: donate online, donate in memory or in honor, donate through the holiday recognition program, donate toys, donate by mail, CrowdFunding, employer gift matching, planned giving and supporting through the Native American Program.