U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

Due to a slow economy and lead paint scares in children's toys, the Boston area Toys for Tots drive was short nearly 15,000 toys just a week before Christmas. Upon hearing the news, it took just 48 hours for the DeMichaelis family, the Olivia's Organics Charitable Foundation, and the employees of Olivia's Organics to raise nearly $80,000 to purchase toys for Toys for Tots! Toys "R" Us generously matched each present Olivia's Organics purchased, and we were able to fulfill the 15,000 toy deficit in time for Christmas.