Christian Peterson
Reporter@riverbendnews.org
The Toys for Tots program started in 1947 and has been running consistently every year since. In 1947, Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks was told by his wife, Diane Hendricks, to take a few homemade dolls to an agency that supports children in need. He quickly realized that there was no such place available at the time, and when he told his wife, she told him to start one. That year, Hendricks and his reserve unit collected and distributed 5,000 toys. After seeing the success and need for the program, the Commandant ordered all Marine Reserve sites to partake in the program the very next year. In 1991, the Marine Toys for Tots Program became an official charity and continued the work they had been doing through today. Now, the program distributes close to 18 million toys to children every year.
The collection begins all the way in October and lasts until mid-December. During this time, individuals are invited to donate new, unopened toys to be delivered to children in need. It is a widely known and very popular program that people across the nation partake in. This year, Hamilton County High School (HCHS) participated in the program.
HCHS Resource Officer Bryon Dickerson was the facilitator and helped put together the event at HCHS. Hundreds of gifts were donated and on Tuesday, Dec. 13, when the Marine Corps arrived to pick up the gifts, they needed a U-Haul truck. Superintendent Dorothy Lee-Wetherington Zamora was able to personally thank the Marines for their service and for the incredible program they have created. All together it was a phenomenal success and many children were left with a smile on their face.