MCHD raises funds to aid Toys for Tots campaign
Click here for updates on this story
MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) — The Mobile County Health Department took part in the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign whose mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December, and to distribute the toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.
Officials say for the last 13 years, employees with MCHD and Family Health — its primary care division — have had the opportunity to purchase tickets that allow them to dress casually on Fridays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Proceeds from the tickets are then given to the Marines in order to buy the toys.
MCHD’s Employee Association partnered with Social Services for a ticket sales blitz and giveaway drawings to help make this year’s donation successful.
Carol Cannon, who oversees the Social Services program at MCHD, said this has been the health department’s most successful campaign. She was able to give the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, based in Mobile a check for the largest amount yet.
“Our 2020 Toys for Tots was a huge success this year,” said Cannon, who added that over the last decade MCHD has donated more than $18,000 to Toys for Tots. “Despite the trying times in 2020, we were able to raise $2,653 this year. This exceeded our goal last year by $300.
“I would like to thank all the volunteers who assisted in setting up the program and selling tickets and collection of money. The money will be mailed to the Toys for Tots address for their use to fund next year’s campaign.”
In 1947, Major Bill Hendricks of the Marine Corps Reserves founded Toys for Tots in Los Angeles, California. More than 5,000 toys were collected during that campaign, with the first toy being a handmade doll.
The following year, the Marine Corps adopted the mission and expanded it into a nationwide community action project as the Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots Program. Walt Disney designed the now-famous train logo and created the first national Toys for Tots poster.
In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the U. S. Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. Over its life span, the Marine Toys for Tots Program has distributed more than 548 million toys to over 251 million less fortunate children.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.
