Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) is happy to announce his annual TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE for the U. S. Marine Corps and several other organizations.

“My office has been helping to collect TOYS FOR TOTS on behalf of the U. S. Marine Corps for a number of years. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the U. S. Marine Corps. In 1996, the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve expanded Toys for Tots to cover all 50 states by authorizing selected Marine Corps League Detachments and selected local community organizations (generally led by a Marine veteran), located in communities without a Marine Reserve Center, to conduct toy collection and distribution campaigns in their communities,” Colton said.

“The US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program is a perfect example that our servicemen and women are doing more than just serving our country. Any contributions are appreciated and will help millions of less fortunate children to enjoy the magic of the holidays. I have also helped to collect toys for a number of different community organizations including for children at Coney Island Hospital in conjunction with the Shorefront Toys for Tots, among others. Shorefront toys for Tots have also been collecting toys for years, which was started by community activist Brian Gotlieb in honor of the memory of his mother. I strongly believe that this year is more significant to many families who had lost their jobs and have a real hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis,” Colton added.                                                 

Anyone who would like to donate toys is welcome to drop it off at my district office at 155 Kings Highway (between West 12^th and West 13^th Streets).

Toys must be new in the original package and unwrapped.

The deadline for toys drop off is Monday, December 18, 2020.