Supervisor Announces Hempstead Toys For Tots Drive

HEMPSTEAD, NY. — Town Supervisor John Ferretti announced Friday that the Town of Hempstead will be participating in the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program this holiday season, holding a Holiday Collection Drive to bring toys to kids in need. The toys will need to be new and unwrapped, and can be donated at several locations.

Toys for Tots materials say that the first Toys for Tots events date back to 1947, when a major in the U.S. Marine Corps founded Toys for Tots in Los Angeles and collected over 5,000 toys. The next year, it became a nationwide program with a logo designed by Walt Disney, and by 1970 the program was collecting over six million toys per-year. In 1991, the Toys for Tots foundation was established, as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit with a mission to bring “a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children” during the holidays.

Nearly 40,000 current and former marines support almost 800 local Toys for Tots chapters today, the Toys for Tots foundation said, providing help like administrative support, fundraising, logistical aid, money management, providing promotional materials and public education programs. The end result, after almost 80 years and millions of toys delivered? Something for kids to smile about in the holiday season.

“During this season of giving, Hempstead Town and the United States Marines Toys for Tots organization want to ensure that every young girl and boy receive gifts and get to experience the true magic and wonder of the holidays,” Ferretti said in a news release announcing the program. “We ask residents to join us in helping local families in need.”

Donations will be accepted seven-days-a-week, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow, Levittown Hall in Hicksville and Newbridge Ice Arena in Bellmore. The Hempstead Town Hall and Hempstead Town Tax Office will also be accepting donations between those hours on weekdays. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 17.

Finally, Ferretti announced that the town and Toys for Tots would also be hosting a drive-through donation event on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Meadow Veterans Memorial Park, where people would be able to donate new, unwrapped toys from the comfort of their own vehicle.

“Whether you utilize one of our many drop-off locations or participate in the Holiday Collection Cruise-Thru on December 13th, your gifts will make a difference for many local children,” Ferretti said.

Families in need of toys can request one at this link.