As this Christmas has come to a close, Kris Kay and Marine veteran Gregg Caldwell were elated that they were able to be involved in helping the Marine nonprofit Toys for Tots for another year.
The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.
For the past 70 years, more than 272 million American children have received toys through Toys for Tots.
With Covid making the need greater than ever and the logistical details more complicated, the Marines in Quantico partnered with local business owners to safely collect and distribute toys to children in need this past Christmas season.
“This year was even more important because of Covid taking a toll on families finances,” Caldwell said. “Many families didn’t have the funds to be able to afford Christmas gifts for their kids.”
Caldwell, who owns G&C Tire and Auto in Chantilly, Virginia, partnered with Kay, owner of UNITS Moving and Portable Storage of Northern Virginia to lead a massive toy donation effort.
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Kay placed units at 12 sites in the Northern Virginia area this year, including at Caldwell’s shop.
Once the units were filled up with toys, Kay took them to the Toys for Tots facility.
“We didn’t have as many drop sites as usual, and every donation was needed just so much more this year,” Kay said. “Greg’s contribution to being a part of this and helping this effort is just something so special and great.”
Caldwell said that for him and his wife, it’s about helping the community out locally and giving back.
“This community has made my business successful for 25 years so it’s up to us to give back,” he said. “Knowing this is a local effort in the DMV and that you’re helping the kids- that’s just so rewarding to know that the kids, who would wake up Christmas morning anticipating something, would get a present and have a smile on their face.”
Kay said she has been working with Toys for Tots for the last 20 years and each year is great knowing she is giving back and making positive contributions to the DMV.
“We want to be a part of the community and we want to be able to do something to help, so I participate with them a little bit all year long with this.”
Kay said every year, she personally goes to the Toys for Tots facility and meets the volunteers.
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“Every year it’s just an amazing group of people,” she said. “There is never a doubt that the toys are going to be going to kids who need them and there is nothing better than making a positive impact on a child’s life. There are few memories that a kid remembers in their life, and opening Christmas gifts on Christmas is one of them.”
There is no such thing as having too many volunteers, though, and Caldwell has made sure to always post on social media and at local networking events about this way to get involved in the community.
“There are so many other businesses who want to do good but don’t always know what to do- even customers who want to get involved but don’t know how,” he said.
Kris added that she also shares about Toys for Tots with local business groups.
“A lot of businesses don’t know the easiest path to get involved and it’s easy to get involved with this,” she said.
With this year’s toys distributed, soon it will be time to start working towards next Christmas, and Caldwell and Kay plan to join next year’s effort too.
“As long as the need is there, we will be there for the program,” Caldwell said.
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