It all began in December 1947, with a hand crafted doll.  The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collection and distribution sites have become an important and familiar element of the Christmas Holiday landscape. 

The White Doves Holiday Project will kick off its Marine Corps Toys for Tots Drive on October 1.  White Doves is the official Local Coordinating Organization (LCO) for the Toys for Tots campaign in Martin County in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.  Carol Hodnett, director of Martin Volunteers, a program of the United Way of Martin County, oversees the White Doves Holiday Project and is the Toys for Tots Coordinator.

“As the LCO, we have been entrusted with this American tradition, said Hodnett who recently returned from the national Toys for Tots Conference.   Local businesses will soon receive their sanction letters, allowing them to collect toys and to use the name Toys for Tots or Toys for Teens, and the logo, created by Walt Disney.

All toys collected in Martin County are then distributed through the White Doves Holiday Project where disadvantaged families are referred by social service agencies and schools.  As in past years, White Doves relies on the agencies to refer only families that are struggling to provide for the children.  Children will be validated.

Applications are no longer being accepted for this year.

Contact information: toysfortots@martinvolunteers.org