Toys for Tots in Seattle

Toys for Tots in Seattle--So I'm sure you've seen them at any public venue, shopping mall, or supermarket in Seattle. "Seen what?" you ask...

The 'Toys for Tots' tables are literally surrounded by Marines each donning his finest dress blues uniform. To the untrained eye, it may give the impression of being a recruiting station for young high school kids with a penchant for weapons and high 'n tight crew cuts. But alas, this 'Toys for Tots' "recruiting station" boldly issues an alternate mission statement; a NEW New Colossus, if you will:

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses (of toys) yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of (toys of) your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost (tempest-TOYS) to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

It's a call to arms of sorts.

The spirit of giving haunts each of us in different ways. To some, it haunts in the form of offering your seat to the elderly woman on the train. To others, it haunts in the form of offering to babysit your brother's obnoxious 12 year-old son, so he and the Mrs. can have a night to themselves on the town.

No matter the circumstance, one thing is for certain--tonight while you sleep comfortably in your warm bed underneath a solid roof that is free from leaks and drafts, many MORE children sleep free from protection of those very elements; their parents too poor or desolate to afford proper repairs. In a country where basic necessities include shelter from the not-so-great outdoors, I am still amazed by the ever-rising number of homeless individuals each year. The good news is that with your smidgen of generosity, an otherwise unfortunate situation can be at least temporarily resolved. Every child deserves a Christmas. Every child deserves the joy and excitement that you or I felt growing up as kids, when we wandered into the living room long before our parents were awake. The abounding anticipation of what Santa specially placed under the tree expressly for YOU, was enough to drive your parents to the brink of........waking up an hour early. And I cherish every one of those moments.

But not every child will experience that. And it makes me sad.

So this year, do something different; if not for the personal satisfaction of giving some to a lot, but for the satisfaction of the less-than-fortunate young people who will actually have a Christmas worth remembering.

The Marine Corps Reserves who operate the program, do it for love of the next generations that will continue to carry on the legacy of giving of oneself. The 'Toys for Tots' program just brands that legacy in a different fashion. And what better way to give back to your community than by enriching the life (or lives) of our future business leaders, doctors, school teachers, musicians, and professional athletes? I can think of none.

The mission of 'Toys for Tots' is to collect new, unwrapped, toys during October, November, and December each year. Those toys are distributed as gifts to needy children in the adjacent community in which the campaign is conducted. The stated goal of 'Toys for Tots' is to deliver a message of hope to less fortunate young people that will hopefully encourage and promote them to become responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens.

Do you still think that your small contribution won't make a difference? Try telling that to Aaron Jacobs or Jim McKellar.

It just so happens that 'Toys for Tots' in Seattle and the surrounding areas has multiple toy drop-off locations. Therefore, you no longer have any excuses NOT to donate. "I don't know where to go," and "I don't have enough time," are not excuses.

Christmas only comes once a year. But giving is a year-round event. So this year, be a superhero to a deserving child. They're counting on you...