KARL Chevrolet teams up with 95.9FM the Fox to promote this year’s US Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Collection
2011 Marks the 30th Consecutive year that KARL Chevrolet has been a leading supporter of Toys for Tots here in Connecticut
Karl Chevrolet team members Beth Karl Saunders and Donna Strout help out the Stamford CT Toys for Tots crew.
When a small group of US Marine Corps Reserves began collecting some toys in 1947, they had no idea how much of an impact their effort would have on needy children decades later.
So how exactly did Toys for Tots begin? Toys for tots Began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came from Bill’s wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one. He did. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. For a full history of the Toys for Tots Campaign, visit their website.
Here in New Canaan, Connecticut, KARL Chevrolet had run a small local effort to collect toys for the Toys for Tots program for many years, and then in 1982, the dealership stepped up its efforts and became a major supporter and sponsor of the Toys for Tots collection effort in Fairfield County CT. Today, the national Toys for Tots organization lists the following goals and objectives on its website:
MISSION:
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.
GOAL:
The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.
OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.
ACTIVITIES:
The principal Toys for Tots activity which takes place each year is the collection and distribution of toys in the communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located. In communities without a Reserve Unit, the campaign can be conducted by a Marine Corps League Detachment or group of men and women, generally veteran Marines, authorized by Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to conduct a local Toys for Tots campaign. Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toys and monetary donations.
Toys have been steadily coming into KARL Chevrolet this year – we’ve already transported several loads to the area Toys for Tots warehouse in Stamford. However, the needs are great this year, and every toy counts – please consider dropping off a new unwrapped toy… or two! On behalf of area children and families in need, Thank You for your thoughtfulness.
When someone makes a contribution of any kind, be it a donation of their time, their money, or material goods like a toy, human nature is to want to know that your contribution actually makes it to the intended purpose. In the case of Toys for Tots, few organizations have as strong a track record, measured by independent sources, in cost-effectively delivering the goods. When you donate a Toy to Toys for Tots, you can be assured it is going directly to a child in need:
PERFORMANCE and ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
•Ranked #289 in 2001 “Philanthropy 400”•Ranked #267 in 2002 “Philanthropy 400”
•Ranked #341 in 2003 “Philanthropy 400”
•Ranked #316 in 2004 “Philanthropy 400”
•Ranked #66 in 2005 “Philanthropy 400”
•Ranked #59 in 2006 “Philanthropy 400”
•Ranked #66 in 2007 “Philanthropy 400”
•Ranked #88 in 2008 “Philanthropy 400”
•Awarded Charity Navigator’s highest 4-Star rating for sound fiscal management (2005-2008)
•Unqualified opinions on Audited Financial Statements (1994-2008)
•Average Program to Support Service expense ratio: (2000-2008) 97:3
•Has met all 20 standards established by the Better Business Bureau WiseGiving Alliance
Karl Chevrolet is teaming up with Cox Radio’s 95.9FM the Fox to help promote this year’s Toys for Tots Campaign. With the economy still limping along, the demands for services from area non-profits are high. At the same time, donations overall trend downward at the very time that demand picks up. That’s why we are making a special effort to extend our reach and ask that anyone who can purchase just one or two toys this year and consider dropping them off in the Chevy Silverado in our showroom at 261 Elm Street in New Canaan or in the collection boxes at our Karl Automotive Service Center at 1330 East Putnam Avenue in Old Greenwich.
Every toy counts – thank you for your support!
From all of us at KARL Chevrolet, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the Health, Happiness and Prosperity you deserve in the New Year.
