ABOUT: The Marine Corps League (MCL) is a veteran's organization of men and women who have served in the U.S. Marine Corps. There are 775 MCL Detachments located throughout the nation. The MCL has 43,000 members. A Detachment typically has about 55 members. Premiere Flooring Systems is owned by Nicholas Mazzo, a Veteran United States Marine and active member of the Ridgefield Detachment of the Marines Corps League. The Marines of Ridgefield are responsible for actively collecting and re-distributing nearly 30,000 toys each year directly to families and non-profit organizations in need of toys for less fortunate children.
MISSION: The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
GOAL: The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.
ACTIVITIES: The principal Toys for Tots activities which take place each year are the collection and distribution of toys in the communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located and in communities without a Reserve Unit that has a Marine Corps League Detachment or group of men and women, generally veteran Marines, authorized by Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to conduct a local Toys for Tots campaign. Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other purely voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toy and monetary donations.
TAX DEDUCTABLE: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity. Donations made to Toys for Tots are tax deductable.
MONETARY DONATIONS: Checks payable to: "Toys for Tots", c/o Ridgefield Detachment MCL, PO Box 55, Ridgefield, CT 06877-0055.
LOCAL DROP OFF: Toys may be taken to: Premiere Flooring Systems Warehouse, 21 Henry Street, Bethel, CT 06801 (203) 431-2676 (or) Ridgefield Detachment Marine Corps League, 25 Halpin Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 438-4333. Toys must be new and in original manufacturer packaging.
LOCAL PICK-UP: Toys for children in need may be picked up at the Ridgefield Detachment Marine Corps League. Please call Toys for Tots Coordinator Bob McCorkle at (203) 438-4333 in advance, to schedule a local pick-up.
Visit the Ridgefield Detachment MCL online at: http://orgsites.com/ct/ridgefieldctmcl
REQUEST PICK-UP OR DELIVERY OF TOYS: Requests to the Ridgefield Marines for donated toys to be picked up or receive delivery to a location in need, may be completed by filling out the on-line form below.