Toys for Tots

More Than a Christmas Time Charity

Serra Traverse City and Toys for Tots

A Year-Round Force for Good

Toys for Tots, a 77 year National charitable Program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides year-round joy, comfort, and hope to disadvantaged children across the Nation through the gift of a new toy or book.  Since 1947, the program has evolved and grown exponentially having delivered hope and the magic of Christmas to over 301 million children in need.  Because the need for assistance isn’t seasonal, the Toys for Tots Program also provides support and hope beyond the holidays.  Do you know of a child in need of a toy?

In 2023, the Program achieved record-breaking milestones.

There were 25.5M toys distributed, 10.3 M children were supported and 4.1M books distributed.  The year-round and holiday programs are part of Toys for Tots commitment to empowering children in need when hope and emotional comfort are needed most.

Request a Toy
The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.  Through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children.

97% of every donation goes directly to providing toys to children.

First Toys for Tots Poster by Walt Disney

Toys for Tots

 

Help Us Support

Our Local Traverse City Community

We want to invite you to join us in helping to support the incredible causes of the local community organizations and charities that Serra Traverse City is proud to partner with. Simply stay tuned to our Community Involvement page, or any of the Serra Traverse City social media accounts, for the latest on which community organization or charity we’re involved with. We’re proud to support the local causes within our community, and we thank you in advance for your support in this effort.

Toy Collection Update

Many Drop-Off Locations and Events

Papano’s Pizza in Beulah hosts a Stuff the Cop Car, Wednesday 12/4 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Area police will be on hand and the public will be encouraged to stuff the patrol cars full of toys. Those with toy donations can receive free breadsticks.

Friday 12/6 is a big day for the campaign. The day starts at 8 am with Shop with the Heroes at the Traverse City Meijer store. Marines and Coast Guard will be joined by local police officers, firefighters, and veterans. They will work with students from Silver Lake and Willow Hill elementary schools to shop for toys. Toys for Tots spends cash donations it has received and is able to fulfill specific toy requests from human service agencies. The heroes are accompanied by the young toy experts to help make the selections.

After the hero shopping, a BATA bus will park at Burger King in front of Meijer from 9 am until 7 p.m. to take toy donations. Meijer will match the value of the toys purchased from their store. A limited number of Great Wolf Lodge Water Park passes are available with a donation, but only while the supply lasts.

Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge and Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel continues Spin to Win Monday through Wednesday to benefit Toys for Tots. Donate a toy with at least a $10 value and get a chance to spin a prize wheel. With prizes up to a $50 E-Credit.

On Saturday 12/7 three events will be held to stuff vehicles full of toys in three different locations:

  • Stuff a Truck at Blain’s Farm and Fleet will attempt to pack a DNR truck full of toys from 9 am until 3 pm.
  • The Cherryland Ghostbusters of Northern Michigan will stage their iconic Ectomobile at Five Below from 11 am until 3 pm with the goal of stuffing the ghost-hunting vehicle with toys.
  • Northwest ORV will have a buggy in front of Sam’s Club from 10 am until 3 pm to Stuff the Buggy.

Saturday 12/7 events continue into the evening when the NMC Jazz Bands perform the Swingin’ for the Season Concert at the Milliken Auditorium. A free admission is given with each toy donation.

Local corporate sponsors include Meijer, Serra of Traverse City, Great Wolf Lodge, GFL Environmental, Up North Live News, Midwestern Broadcasting, Black Diamond Broadcasting, Blarney Stone Broadcasting, Traverse City Record-Eagle, Leelanau Sands Casino, Turtle Creek Casino, The Les & Anne Biederman Foundation, Jen Tees, Two Men and A Truck, A. Papano’s Pizza, Bay Area Transportation Authority, Fast Signs, US Coast Guard, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sara Lee, Grand Traverse Industries, Miller Snowden Realty, and Traverse City Tourism.

Now in its 77th year, the toy drive is part of a national campaign that was started by the Marine Corps Reserves. It is the largest toy collection program in the country, with 800 campaigns in all 50 states. More information is available at www.toysfortots.org.

 

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Get directions to one of our locations:
Serra Traverse City 44.735181, -85.594550.