The goal of Toys for Tots is simple: Ensure that every boy and girl has something waiting for them under the tree on Christmas morning.
That’s been the mission of the Marine Corps League for more than 70 years, and this year will be no exception. Earlier this week toy boxes began popping up around the Sedona area — 31 in Sedona and 15 in the Village of Oak Creek. Those donating are asked to drop off a new, unwrapped gift by Dec. 10.
According to its website, Toys for Tots got its start in 1947 in Los Angeles. At that time, more than 5,000 toys were collected, the first of which was a handmade doll. The following year, the U.S. Marine Corps took over the program and has overseen it ever since. That next year, Walt Disney designed the now-famous Toys for Tots train logo and created the first national Toys for Tots poster. Today, more than 15 million toys are distributed to children annually.
The local program is again being overseen by Karen and Leonard Barrow, who recently won Sedona Fire District’s 2019 Outstanding Citizen/ Community Organization award.
“Leonard and I enjoy coordinating the Toys for Tots campaign,” Karen Barrow said. “We feel that it’s important to provide a sense of hope and joy to families that are less fortunate at Christmas. This is especially important during these trying times. The Marines believe that every child deserves a little Christmas.”
In 2019, Toys For Tots distributed 3,632 gifts — which includes toys, stocking stuffers and books — to 1,113 children in the Sedona area as well as Oak Creek School in Cornville, and also partnered with the Beaver Creek Kiwanis’ Adopt-a-Family program
Toys for Tots provides toys to children from newborn to 14 years old. Families can register through Sedona schools, Sedona Community Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul Society, online at its website or by calling 274-0734.
“We count on the community to donate gifts for children 3 to 10 years of age,” Barrow said. “This year it’s hard to predict the community need or the amount of donations needed. The Toys for Tots Foundation helps each campaign by providing supplemental toys for older children. Several of our fundraiser/toy drive events have been canceled, so community donations are extremely important.”
Sedona Toys for Tots has also created a gift registry through Amazon. It allows donations to be selected and paid for online and then shipped directly to Sedona Toys for Tots. Cash donations are also welcome.
For more information on where to find a box, to register a child or to donate through Amazon, visit sedona-az.toysfortots.org.
