Martin Volunteers kicks off White Doves/Toys for Tots program

PRESS RELEASE DATE: Oct. 16, 2009

It all began in December 1947 with a hand crafted doll.

Since then, the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collection and distribution sites have become an important and familiar element of the holiday landscape.

The White Doves Holiday Project, the local coordinating organization for the Toys for Tots campaign in Martin County, kicked off its U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Drive in Martin County on Oct 1.

Martin Volunteers Director Carol Hodnett oversees the White Doves Holiday Project, an initiative of Martin Volunteers, a United Way of Martin County program.

“As the LCO, we have been entrusted with this American tradition,” said Hodnett, who recently returned from the national Toys for Tots Conference.

“Local businesses will soon receive their sanction letters, allowing them to collect toys and to use the name Toys for Tots or Toys for Teens, and the logo, created by Walt Disney.”

All toys collected in Martin County are then distributed through the White Doves Holiday Project where disadvantaged families are referred by social service agencies and schools.

As in past years, the White Doves Holiday Project relies on the agencies to only refer families that are struggling to provide for their children.

Families must provide a birth certificate or another form of identification in order for their children to be eligible.

Visit http://stuart-fl.toysfortots.org or call (772) 220-4472 for more information.