Disney Gives 75,000 Toys to Toys for Tots This Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us and that means festive decorations, delicious foods, and holiday cheer. While there are a lot of things happening during the holidays, Disney is reminding us that it’s also an important time to give back to those in need.
Today is Giving Tuesday, and Disney is sharing how they’re being charitable this holiday season.
Disney & Toys for Tots
The Walt Disney Company shared today that the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive has collected 16,125 toys so far for the Marine Toys for Tots program!
And, in honor of 75 years of working together, Disney also announced that the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive is giving grants to provide an additional 75,000 toys to kids in need this holiday season.
Photo: Disney
The announcement was first made on Good Morning America. Staff Sergeant (SSgt) James Caldwell, who has a decades-long connection to Toys for Tots, was there for the announcement along with other Marines to wrap some of the toys.
For the past two years, SSgt Caldwell was the coordinator of his local Toys for Tots chapter in Worcester, Massachusetts. But, he’s been connected with the organization since childhood.
Photo: Disney
SSgt Caldwell was born into the foster care system and was taken in by foster parents Bill and Judith Caldwell at just 6 months old. When he was 4, he was adopted.
James said he remembers getting Toys for Tots gifts every Christmas for the first 10 years of his life. He said that the gifts are partially responsible for why he joined the Marines.
Photo: Disney
Disney has been working with Toys for Tots since 1947. Walt Disney, along with his team of animators, designed the logo for Toys for Toys that is actually still used today!
Since that time, Marines and other volunteers have given out 652 million toys to over 291 million kids.
Photo: Toys For Tots
And, you can donate to the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive, too! Donate a toy online on shopDisney.com through December 24th or donate a new, unwrapped toy at a drop-off location through December 15th (see the list of locations right here).
Photo: Toys for Tots
Stay tuned for more Disney news and updates!
