Military Members Make Christmas Merrier with Their Successful Fundraising Campaigns

By Paula Green

In the United States, we make it a priority to support our troops, who are an integral part of our country. It is essential to recognize the sacrifices that military members make in safeguarding our freedom and providing us with a sense of security.

During the holidays, military members actively give back to their communities. Let’s take a look at how their involvement in charitable organizations makes a real difference during the holiday season.

In 1991, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve founded the Toys for Tots program. From October to late December, the Marines sponsor annual local toy drives in over 800 communities across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Community members drop off new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes. Coordinators collect these toys and store them in central warehouses, where they are sorted by age and gender. The goal of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to spread the joy of Christmas by ensuring that children have presents to open on Christmas.

The U.S. Army and Navy also support the Toys for Tots campaign. The Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) employees conduct internal toy drives with individual divisions. These donations are taken to a local Marine Toys for Tots drop-off point, where the toys are then distributed to underprivileged children in the community. 

Navy bases, NEX Service Command, and Navy Fleet Credit Unions serve as donation sites for the Toys for Tots program. Navy Fleet Readiness Centers contribute toys and bicycles on an annual basis.

The bottom line: Toys for Tots is a hugely successful holiday campaign, distributing over 30 million toys last year to nearly a million children and making the season brighter for those in need.

Some military members enjoy braving the elements when they participate in bell ringing and spreading holiday cheer. The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive is a civilian fundraising effort, but many veterans volunteer their time for the drive as part of their community service.

In times of disaster or crisis, military units often assist The Salvation Army by providing personnel, vehicles, and other resources to help with emergency relief efforts, a role that complements their fundraising campaigns.

We thank military members for their support and dedication to Toys for Tots and The Salvation Army. We wish them a merry and blessed holiday season!