Every year at holiday time, we reach into our hearts to make sure that local families in need have toys for their children at Christmas. For several years now, we have partnered with Toys for Tots, hosting a toy drop-off for the area, and inspiring our members to get involved.
Toys for Tots has been around for a long time. Established by the United States Marine Corps in the 1940s, it is a nationwide charity dedicated to giving families and children holiday hope and joy they may not otherwise have.
Each year, we join more than 800 communities across America in collecting new, unwrapped toys. In mid-December, the collection boxes will be picked up by local community agencies and church groups who will sort them by age and gender. These groups are acutely aware of the needy children and families in the region and will play an important role in ensuring the toys are delivered to the people who need them most.
How Does a Toy at Christmas Help?
While some might think that the gift of toys at Christmas seems trivial when some families are in dire circumstances, we disagree.
The reality is that circumstances do not have to dictate the course of life. But, if there is no kindness and no giving, hope does not often survive. To see the joy on a child’s face when a gift is so selflessly given is to experience that hope rekindled. It’s about hope for a brighter tomorrow, a realization that there is a life beyond their circumstances, and that people do care enough to try to make a difference.
This is the magic of Toys for Tots.
Why Charitable Giving Matters
Many businesses engage in charitable giving during the holidays. It’s an opportunity to reduce the tax burden, and it’s also a way to give back to the local community while supporting a cause that’s close to your heart.
There are plenty of worthy charities to choose from, either locally around Anne Arundel County or across the country. Choose something that you feel strongly about, something you can get behind with all your heart. Give generously, and give in the name of your company so that others in the community will know what you stand for.
Ways You Can Be Of Service
For small businesses or companies just starting out who don’t have funds to spare, there are plenty of other ways to be of service and make a meaningful contribution.
Here are a few ideas:
- Volunteer your time at a local mission, church, or homeless shelter
- Spend time with an elder at a nursing home
- Donate goods or services to a local church or charity
- Donate a portion of your company’s sales to a local cause
- Host a fundraiser to raise money for your cause
- Donate blood
- Foster a rescue pet
And even if you decide to embrace your own charity this year, you can still donate a new, unwrapped toy to our Toys for Tots collection location. Drop by My Annapolis Office today for some holiday cheer and learn more about how we can help your business grow.
