Toys for Tots Benefit Concert

Rockin’ Santa

Musicians from all over the area are coming together November 3^rd at Heston Farm Winery to donate their time and talents to support the efforts of the Toys for Tots Foundation.

The concert will take place from noon until 10:00 pm.

The cost of admission is the donation of a NEW unwrapped toy(s) with at least a $10 value.

About Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children.

The idea came from Bill’s wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill discovered that no such agency existed, Diane suggested Bill start one. He did.

The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. That year, Marine Corps Reserve units across the nation conducted Toys for Tots campaigns in each community in which a Marine Reserve Center was located and have continued to do so every year.

The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to “bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children”.

Bill Hendricks, a Marine Reservist on weekends, was in civilian life, the Director of Public Relations for Warner Brothers Studio. This enabled him to convince a vast array of celebrities to support Toys for Tots. In 1948, Walt Disney designed the Toys for Tots logo, which is still used. Disney also designed the first Toys for Tots poster used to promote the nationwide program.  Nat “King” Cole, among others recorded the Toys for Tots theme composed by Sammy Fain and Paul Webster in 1956.

In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the U. S. Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.

Toys for Tots in Marion County

Can’t make it to the concert – not a problem!  Heston Farm Winery will continue to collect toys and money through November.

At present, there are no other toy drop-off sites located in Marion County.  However, by early November, additional sites will be established.  Visit www.toysfortots.org to find a complete list of locations.

In the meantime, enjoy a day of great music, food and friends and “bring the joy of Christmas to Marion County’s needy children”!