Many people cannot afford to celebrate the holidays or give gifts to their children on Christmas. However, our Dane County chapter of Toys for Tots helps make dreams come true for thousands of local families in need.

Toys for Tots, a Marine Corps activity, was founded in Los Angeles in 1947. When the program first began, over 5,000 toys were given out to children in need by a group of Marine Reservists and (then Major) William L. Hendricks. The program sparked steady growth throughout the years to reach all 50 states by 1996.

Toys for Toys in Dane County has two programs for families in need, the Adopt-A-Family Wish List and a toy distribution event at the Alliant Energy Center. Families can sign up for the Wish List to be randomly selected in a drawing to be fully “adopted” by a local donor or business.Of the 3,000 family maximum, only two to three hundred families will be Wish List recipients. The rest of the families get to go to the toy distribution event to receive holiday toys for their children. There, volunteers help families pick out toys for their children via a “shopping experience.”

The Salvation Army on Darbo Dr. in Madison acts as a sign-up venue for families to request toys until Nov. 19. The crowds are typically very large.

Chris Casey, program director, said that the maximum number of families that can be served is 3,000. Currently there are 2,000 and the number is going up every day.

“I think even before the economy was down, this filled the gap for people in need,” Casey stated. “We do what we can for 3,000 families. I have three kids of my own and I enjoy doing this. It’s a big deal for me, too.”

Maria Disrud, a first-year volunteer at the Salvation Army sign-up site, thinks it is “heartbreaking that so many needy people don’t have anything, but that everyone in [here] is very appreciative about getting anything.”

According to Kate Wickens, another volunteer, the best part of Toys for Tots is “seeing families get cheer this holiday season.” There was an overwhelming sense of hope and gratitude at the Salvation Army, and it was powerful to see how it affected both the volunteers and the families.

“It’s amazing to see how happy and grateful families are,” said Amber Barmore, a veteran volunteer. “This is a great program, and much needed. It’s wonderful watching everyone come together to help.”

There are several ways to get involved with Toys for Tots. Many toy drop-off points are located throughout the city, with a comprehensive list featured on the local website, http://madison-wi.toysfortots.org. Madison College also has a local drop off point on the Truax Campus, at Vets for Vets. The last day to drop off toys at any location is Nov. 26. Monetary and material donations are also accepted online or by mail. For those who wish to volunteer their time, many opportunities are available on a year-round basis. The toy distribution event at the Alliant Energy Center needs many volunteers this season, and interested parties can contact Deb Crye at (608) 250-2218.