Toys For Tots 2019: Campaigns Starting In Ashburn

With the season of giving fast approaching, the Marine Toys for Tots campaigns are set to begin across the country.

The mission of the foundation is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them to less fortunate children at Christmas. The nonprofit public charity was founded at the behest of the Marine Corps in 1991, and is still run exclusively by veteran Marines.

Today, there are hundreds of local campaigns across the United States in which residents can donate toys, apply for toys and even host a Marine Toys for Tots fundraising event.

This year's Toys for Tots campaign in Loudoun County is underway. Frank Holtz is the coordinator for this area.

Nearby drop-off locations include:

AC Moore, 20020 Ashbrook Commons Plaza Ste. 175, Ashburn
Accepting donations starting Nov. 9

Ashburn Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, 20905 Professional Plaza Ste. 210, Ashburn
Currently accepting donations

Ashburn Farm Association, 21400 Windmill Dr., Ashburn
Accepting donations starting Nov. 4

CubeSmart Self-Storage, 45000 Russell Branch Pkwy., Ashburn
Accepting donations starting Oct. 21

See a full list of all county drop-off locations.

All fire stations in Loudoun County also will accept toy donations starting Nov. 1 through Dec. 9. Please place the toys in clean plastic bags for drop-off.

Children selected to receive toys through the program will be notified of the pickup point after their application has been accepted.

Overall in 2018, 28,109 toys were distributed locally and 6,834 children were supported through the campaign in our area.

The local campaigns are conducted annually in over 800 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, according to Toys for Tots. In the past year alone, the foundation collected and distributed 18 millions toys to 7 million less fortunate children.

The nonprofit also partners with 12 major sponsors that have contributed at least $2 million in toys. The sponsors include Hallmark, the Walt Disney Company, the UPS Store and Kmart.

Toys for Tots allows participants to make a donation in 10 different ways: donate online, donate in memory or in honor, donate through the holiday recognition program, donate toys, donate by mail, CrowdFunding, employer gift matching, planned giving and supporting through the Native American Program.