The U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots Program is collaborating with Christmas Caring in St. Mary’s County in 2010. The Department of Human Services works with the Department of Social Services to screen and establish a database of eligible families.
All toys collected in St. Mary’s County will remain in St. Mary’s County. Residents are invited to help deserving families in need— contact the Department of Human Services and volunteer to sponsor a child(ren) OR look for the Toys for Tots collection box at stores and establishments county-wide (and county government buildings) and drop off a donated gift.
The Sponsoring option involves providing a specific gift for a child based on his or her request and is a personal way of giving and getting into the spirit of the holiday. Gifts can be toys, educational items and clothing. Toys collected at the Toys for Tots collection points will end up in the hands of a needy child on Christmas Day. Toys for Tots is for toys only, not clothing. Tax deductible monetary donations can be sent to the Toys for Tots Coordinator for St. Mary’s County, Bruce Vanden Bos at 20440 Chingville Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Christmas caring is reaching out to all organizations providing help for families during the holiday season. If churches, businesses or schools are helping families specific to their organization, they are encouraged to contact the Department of Human Services to see if those families are already in the database, thus preventing a duplication of service. Call the Department of Human Services at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1680 for more information.
Sign up to make a child’s wish come true by calling (301) 475-4200 ext. 1680; the Toys for Tots collection boxes can be found throughout the county. To view a video appeal from Shaquille O’Neal about Toys for Tots, log on to www.toysfortots.org.