The Toys for Tots program is a national charity effort of the Marine Corps Reserve. The program began in 1947 in Los Angeles when Major Bill Hendricks, along with a group of fellow marine reservists, collected more than 5,000 toys for distribution to needy children in the area.

According to the organization’s web site, the idea for the toy drive actually came from Hendicks’ wife, Diane who made a doll to give to a needy child, but could not find an organization to deliver the gift.

In 1948, the Toys for Tots program hit communities nationwide with the support of the Marine Corps. Wherever the marines were, they were collecting toys for the needy children of the community.

The goal of the program is “to bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children.”

Since the toy drive came into being, thousands of children have been given a bit of Christmas joy thanks to the generosity of the surrounding community.

Prior to 1980 the Toys for Tots program collected new and used toys, but only new toys are accepted today.

The program collects toys from October through December in local communities. Donations of new toys can be dropped off at the Family Dollar on S. McKenzie Street in Foley, the Family Dollar in Gulf Shores, and at Starkey Self Storage at 8141 Alabama Highway 59 until Dec. 15. Toys were also collected at all Toys R Us locations until Sunday, but the toy company is still accepting monetary donations both in the store and through its website, www.toysrus.com.

According to David Swensen, owner of Starkey Self Storage, the toys donated in this area are going to stay in Baldwin County. Swenson has been collecting for Toys for Tots for at least seven years, and he said this year he has already collected 30 toys with at least 10 days still left to collect.

“I have been very successful. This is the best thing I do all year. I get overwhelmed by the people who come and donate toys every year,” Swenson said. “I think the response in this area is good. There are a lot more businesses doing it.”

The Toys for Tots program is also accepting monetary donations through its web site, www.toysfortots.org .

In 2008 local campaigns were conducted in 657 communities nationwide. More than 16.2 million toys were collected and distributed to 7.6 million children throughout the county.

“I think it is all for the kids and giving is a big part of life. Giving back is half the battle in a community our size. Whatever it takes to put a smile on a child’s face is what I do it for,” Swenson said.