THE eight annual Toys for Tots campaign in the Northern Mariana Islands that kicked off in October is coming to a close, with just a week left to donate new or unwrapped Christmas gifts for children.
Established in 1947, Toys for Tots is a Marine Corps Reserve mission and one of the most popular Christmastime charities for children.
Last year, 9,241 toys were distributed throughout Guam, Rota, Saipan, and Tinian, thanks to the combined efforts of Marine Corps Camp Blaz and local partners.
The primary goal of this campaign is to deliver — through a new toy at Christmas — a message of hope and joy, helping children under the age of 17 become responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens.
“I feel like awareness is very important. Even though we are trying to get more toys and we’re trying to beat last year’s numbers, I feel like as long as the community is more aware of the program, those numbers will naturally grow. Every year, I feel like more and more of the community is aware of what we’re doing and all the hard work that everyone is putting into this program, so I thank everyone for their help,” said Gunnery Sgt. Rubin Tan, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Guam and the CNMI, during a radio interview.
To participate and donate to the local Toys for Tots campaign, bring a newly purchased unwrapped toy to one of the various businesses or organizations acting as voluntary drop-off locations, which include the Department of Commerce, Mobil Oil-Puerto Rico, Matson Navigation Company, Saipan Shipping Company Inc., Assurance Brokers Inc., Bank of Guam, BankPacific, Bridge Capital LLC, Crowne Plaza, Club 88, T Galleria by DFS Saipan, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Commonwealth Healthcare Center, Century Insurance, VFW Post 3457, Camille’s Cookies & Crumbles, Financial Insurance & Services Group, Marianas Creations, Docomo Pacific, Turnkey Solutions, MANGO, Paradise Dental Spa, First Hawaiian Bank-Gualo Rai, First Hawaiian Bank-Oleai, The Trove Saipan, Fork & Spoon: House of Sizzling, Seventh-Day Adventist Clinic, Seventh-Day Adventist School, Saipan Vegas, Bank of Saipan, IT&E CNMI-Oleai, JCT Enterprises, Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc., Jacqueline Villagomez Consulting, Triple J Affiliates, Isla Shave Ice 2 Go, Paradiso Resort & Spa, PHI Pharmacy, Northern Marianas College, Small Business Development Center, First Lady Diann Torres Foundation, Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs, the CNMI Women’s Affairs Office, Tinian International Women’s Association, Tinian Mayor’s Office, Rota Mayor’s Office, and other government offices.
Accepted donations also include large boxes, decorative wrapping, tape, ribbons, and other craft supplies.
Monetary donations will go directly towards the purchase of additional toys, books, or games.
Marine Corps Camp Blaz has set Saturday, Dec. 10 as the last day for donations.
On Saipan, the drive-thru distribution of toys donated by government offices and the Lady Diann Torres Foundation is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 in the Office of the Governor parking lot on Capital Hill, while supplies last.
Plans are underway for smaller toy distributions will also be held on all three islands.
For more information on the local Toys for Tots campaign, email saipantoys4tots@gmail.com or contact the Lady Diann Torres Foundation at (670) 284-3970, the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs at (670) 483-1812, the CNMI Women’s Affairs Office at (670) 397-5477, or the Saipan Chamber of Commerce (670) 234-7150.
