DonateAToy.org, part of Fun Services, a leader in New Jersey school fundraising programs and events since 1968, and Toys for Tots, a 73-year national charitable program led by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, have joined forces to launch a Virtual Holiday Toy Drive to accommodate the latest health and safety guidelines of donating during this year’s COVID-era holiday season. The new DonateAToy.org website provides a contact-free, convenient online platform that enables people to quickly and easily donate toys to thousands of disadvantaged children nationwide during this critically challenging time when traditional, in-person toy drives are exceedingly difficult.
Toy-for-Toy Matching Donation
Already a proud Toys for Tots sponsor, the partnership deepens DonateAToy.org’s commitment by incorporating two initiatives to help jump-start the program and then incentivize widespread participation. To launch the seasonal event, DonateAToy.org has committed $100,000 worth of toys to Toys for Tots; to maintain momentum, the company will match every purchase and cash donation made through the platform with a toy of equal value through December 31, 2020.
“As the coronavirus pandemic has increased need to unprecedented levels, we are honored to support the crucial Toys for Tots mission,” said Anthony Lombardi, President, Fun Services and founder of DonateAToy. “With people reluctant to visit physical drop-off sites, this unique program empowers both corporate gift-giving and consumer donations to brighten the holidays for less fortunate children across the country, right from their computer or mobile device.”
Millions of Children in Need of Holiday Cheer
One in seven kids – nearly 12 million – are living in poverty, making children the poorest age group in the nation, according to the United States Census Bureau, Income and Poverty in the United States: 2019 Report. Nearly half of these children (4.5 million) live in extreme poverty, defined as an annual income of less than half the poverty level, and living on expenses of less than $36 a day.
“The DonateAToy.org collaboration will help Toys for Tots continue our ongoing effort to deliver millions of gifts to children whose families are experiencing extraordinary financial difficulties – hardships often exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Ted Silvester, Retired Colonel, United States Marine Corps, and VP, Marketing and Development, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Last year, the Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday wishes of seven million less fortunate children in over 800 communities nationwide, and our goal is to support every family seeking holiday assistance from Toy for Tots.”
Since 1947, Toys for Tots has distributed 584 million toys to 265 million children to date.
People can visit the DonateAToy.org website at DonateAToy.org to obtain more information or make a donation.