What volunteering is all about:

Those of you working with the Marines on the Toys for Tots program do an extraordinary job each holiday season bringing new toys and books to under privileged children.  All of us make a difference but let us never forget that as critically important as this gift-giving is, there is much more to the Toys for Tots story.

Children are our most precious natural resource.  They are tomorrow's civic, business and social leaders, and millions of them live in poverty.  Without a strong support system for their future, many suffer from low self-esteem with little or no hope for the future. The shiny new toy which millions of needy children receive each holiday season  through the Toys for Tots program delivers a message of hope that someone they have never met, cares about them.

Our giving has the power to instill a positive influence on the development of needy youngsters, and to motivate them to mature into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.  We know this from some of our adult volunteers who tell us they were once one of those who benefited from Toys For Tots.

Your volunteer work for Toys for Tots is much more than you may have thought. You help lay a positive, worthwhile foundation upon which the future of these youngsters can be built.

This is more than reward enough for all we are doing together.

Semper Fidelis, Lou Barnes
Toys for Tots California Central Coast