Well, I can’t believe this will be our 27th year collecting toys for the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Time seems to go by so quickly and the need seems to grow each year. For as long as I can remember, I have always felt the need to help others, especially children. I knew I had a chance to make a difference when myself and my best friend Jim…
26th Annual Toys for Tots Collection Party Recap
December 15, 2016Last night, was my family’s annual Toys for Tots collection party! Our community collected 5,579 toys for kids in New Haven County! We were joined by the New Haven Marines. For those of you not familiar with Toys for Tots, the foundation is a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program. The last few years, the collection party has been held at Gaetano’s Tavern on Main. Great food, great drinks, and music from Arlene! Santa…
For over 25 years my best friend Jim and I have hosted an annual Toys for Tots party for the US Marine Corps in Wallingford, CT. In the past several years, we have averaged over 5000 toys per collection. Jim and I share the same birthday, December 18th. Instead of celebrating our birthday, we throw this toy collection party to benefit the kids in New Haven County. We are very lucky that…
It is 2015 and we are well on our way to celebrate our 25th annual Toys for Tots party this year (2 weeks away). Many years ago when we started to collect toys for children in need (as opposed to celebrating our birthdays on December 18th), we started in my apartment with close friends and collected 20 toys. My best friend Jim and myself share the same birthday. That year we gave the toys to the local welfare department. With the help…
Elf on the Shelf: Toys for Tots
December 19, 2014Harvey joined us at our Toys for Tots party last night, where he walked the step and repeat with Rudolph.…
24th Annual Toys for Tots Holiday Party
December 12, 2014My friend Jim and I have been lifelong friends. We’ve held a toys for tots party every year on our birthdays (December 18th – Jim turns 50 this year haha!) and we are in the final stretch of preparing for this year’s holiday gathering. Back in 1990 when Jim and I were in our early 20’s, we wanted to throw ourselves a birthday party and have people bring them gifts. When we took a…
My aunt Holly and her best friend Jim host an annual Toys for Tots party in my hometown of Wallingford, CT. Generating thousands of toys each year for families in Connecticut, their local event has grown into one of the largest collections in the state. I asked my aunt to write a note about her story: “In 1990 I decided I wanted to throw a birthday party for myself and…