Portland OR

Toys for Tots Coordinator
GySgt Luis Castro

The Local Impact

Portland OR during 2023

52,897
Toys Distributed
35,929
Children Supported



If you would like to financially support Toys for Tots just click on "Donate Online"

Families looking to request toys must coordinate with one of the locally approved Toys for Tots organizations on the "Request Toys" link. Please scroll to the bottom of the "Request Toy"page to find the organizations.
Last day to request toys Nov 17!!

With the start of the 2024 Toys for Tots toy drive for the greater Portland area, we want to say thank you to all the businesses and individuals that donated toys, time, and money this past year.  We want to recognize several businesses who made outstanding contributions. 




This year we are looking to maintain this outstanding level of community support!
Thank you Portland for your continued support!



For 2024 Toys for Tots Local Events, please click on "About Us", Local Events!!
Stop by, donate and help us reach our goal this year!



The area and cities that Portland Toys for Tots is responsible for, is enclosed by red.

 “Every Child deserves a Little Christmas”      

AN OVERVIEW: ABOUT TOYS FOR TOTS
 

   The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c) (3) not-for-profit public charity, is the authorized fund raising and support organization for the Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns. The foundation staff is located in an office suite aboard Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, about 35 miles south of Washington, DC.

        Local campaigns are conducted annually in nearly 500 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Commander, Marine Forces Reserve has under his command 280 Marine Reserve Units located at 183 Marine Reserve Centers and seven Marine Corps Bases/Air Stations covering 46 states. To cover all 50 states and more communities in each state, the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve authorizes the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to permit selected Marine Corps League Detachments and Local Community Organizations (generally veteran Marines) located in communities without a Marine Reserve Center, to conduct Toys for Tots campaigns as part of the overall U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

       One individual, either a Marine, member of a Marine Corps League Detachment, or member of a local community organization, is designated the Toys for Tots coordinator for that community. The coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing and conducting the campaign in his/her community.

        Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until December 20th. Toy distribution normally takes place on December 17 thru December 22. Members of the community drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender. At Christmas, coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the needy children of the community. Over the years, Marines have established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies which are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.

       While Toys for Tots coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.

       Local business leaders play key roles. They allow coordinators to locate drop-off/collection boxes in their stores; provide free warehouse space for storing and sorting toys during October, November and December; provide vehicles to collect toys from drop off sites; sponsor toy raising events; and help coordinators arrange media exposure for Toys for Tots in the local community.

       National corporations support Toys for Tots by establishing affiliations with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. These corporations make donations to the Foundation or conduct cause marketing initiatives from which they share royalties with the Foundation. In almost every instance, the marketing initiatives of these corporations give significant added visibility and name recognition to Toys for Tots. Such visibility enhances the campaign at the national and local levels. The funds emanating from these affiliations enable the Foundation to purchase toys to supplement local collections; purchase promotion and support materials: and defray the costs of annual Toys for Tots campaigns.

VOLUNTEER!  A CALL TO ACTION!

     To Americans in every walk of life, we invite you to join the Toys for Tots Team and become a part of the U.S. Marine Corps' premier community action program and one of the nation's flagship Christmas charitable causes. Our challenge: be a participator, not a spectator. Do your part to assist in the development of today's children so they will grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders tomorrow. You will be helping children, your community and your nation. Your action today will help produce leaders for tomorrow. Help us "make a difference".

  • Donate a toy to your community's Toys for Tots Campaign
  • Donate Your time to assist your community's Toys for Tots Campaign
  • Donate service support to your community's Toys for Tots Campaign
  • Allow Marines to use an empty warehouse to store and sort toys
  • Allow Marines to use a vehicle to collect toys throughout your community
  • Be a Role Model for children in your community
    (i.e. Passive Mentor)
    • Be a model citizen and a model adult
    • Be a person of Integrity, Honesty and the highest Moral Character
    • Demonstrate Immaculate Personal Appearance
    • Demonstrate a positive attitude
    • Demonstrate respect and concern for others and their property
    • Demonstrate a caring attitude towards others
    • Help others at every opportunity