According to the Journal of the Continental congress – it was on 10 November 1775 that the United States Marine Corp was created
Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines,…
So, what better day that 10 November 2011, the 236nd Birthday of the US Marine to talk about how their service to our country does not stop at defending us but in their service to those in need.
Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR 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 handcrafted a Raggedy Ann 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.
Over the 59 years of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 million needy children. This charitable endeavor has made U.S. Marines the unchallenged leaders in looking after needy children at Christmas. Over its 16 year life span, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has supplemented local toy collections with more than 70.2 million toys valued at more than $387 million; plus has provided promotion and support materials valued at over $4.7 million.
I challenge each and every one of you to find your nearest local donation point and or for my neighbors to ACT LOCALLY to make this a better holiday season for all the children of our country.
Some companies do toy drives. The company I work for _used_ to, but they were bought out and “those things aren’t allowed”. DOn’t get me started on what _is_ allowed.
SO to solve this inconveinence, I donate locally (generally cash) to “Toys for Tots”. But if anyone else works for a company where “those things” are allowed, you can set it up with “Toys For Tots” to come by and pick up the donations (toys as well as cash) where you work.