Toys for Tots

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The Christmas season is the perfect time to help those less fortunate in our community and 8 News NOW and Smith's are proud sponsors of this year's Toys for Tots program.

The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

The Marine Corp Reserves has been collecting toys for low-income families since 1947, and each year, Toys for Tots makes a difference in the lives of children of all ages. 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 less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

This year, with the economic challenges facing our community, we need your help now more than ever. Last year Toys for Tots collected 458,965 toys, giving 126,654 children in Southern Nevada a merrier holiday. This year, 500,000 toys are needed in order to reach every needy child in Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, Boulder City and some of the other nearby communities.

8 News NOW and all Smith's grocery locations will be accepting new, unwrapped toy donations starting mid-November through Dec. 10th, and what's donated in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.

Smith's Locations Link

Channel 8 is located at 3228 Channel 8 Drive, between Las Vegas Blvd. and Paradise, and Desert Inn and Convention Center Drive. In addition, there are dozens of sites around the valley where you can drop off toys, including any Smith's grocery store. For additional information about Toys for Tots, call (702) 632-1516.

The Toys for Tots program also takes monetary donations, too. Make your check out to: Toys for Tots Las Vegas.

Spearheaded by 4 Caring Hearts, a program of the YMCA of Southern Nevada and partners, 8 News NOW, United Way's Volunteer Center, Smith's Food and Drug Store, Three Dot Entertainment and Always Jumping, the event will be one for every family to remember.

Volunteers are needed to bring excitement and fun to the Toys for Tots Reindeer Rock event! This wonderful day of families and friends will include distributing over 3,000 gifts donated for children in need. Volunteers are needed as greeters, gift distributors, clean up and other various positions as needed. Volunteer positions are assigned on a first come first served basis so arrive early if you have a specific area of interest.

Volunteer Information