Toys for Tots Program

The TFT program collects new unwrapped Toys and Books for kids ages infant to 12. Remember, this may the only gift a child receives for Christmas, consider that as you pick it out. (Suggested value: at least $10.)

The best donations are sporting goods, toy cars/planes/boats, dolls (Barbie, J. I. Joe, etc.), board games, books, bicycles, scooters, puzzles, models, hand-held video games and small electronics.

Please do not donate stuffed animals as they can create hygienic problems. Also, toy guns, knives, bows/arrows, whips, and handcuffs are not accepted.

Detachment Activities and Areas of Responsibilities

Santa Rosa Detachment 686
Program runs Nov. 12 - Dec. 18, 2005
Works with the Marine Reserve Unit in Sonomo County
Delivers up to 1000 boxes collecting over 10,000 toys

Colonel Mitchell Paige [Medal of Honor] Detachment 1207
Covers the Chula Vista area
Works with local Reserve unit and Sharps Hospital

Golden Empire Detachment 714
Works with the Marine Reserve Unit in Bakersfield
Area of Responsibility is Kern County area
Collecting and distributing toys with the Reserves

Volkslauf The Ultimate Challenge
The event has gone from about 200 runners & 500-750 spectators in 1997 to over 1200 runners & thousands of spectators at the last run held on October 14, 2006.

October 14th marked the 10th anniversary of this race.  Traditionally it has been a 10K Mud Run but this year we incorporated a 5K Mud Run that included all the same obstacles except one.  As the name implies, it is a Mud Run but it also includes a Marine Corps style obstacle course.  Participants run the 5K or 10K constantly being plodded and persuaded by Marines, including Drill Instructors from MCRD, at various locations throughout the course to dig deep within their souls and complete the course.  The two things you most definitely hear during the run are “I can’t” being mumbled by participants while a Marine screams back, “Yes, you can.”

This race has gone from a few hundred participants and curious spectators 10 years ago to almost 2000 participants and thousands of spectators cheering them on this year.  Several of last year’s spectators were so motivated after seeing their friends running that they became participants this year.  Even Camp Pendleton Marines who have run that event have also ran our Mud Run and proclaimed Volkslauf to be a tougher race by far with the only thing missing here were the hills.

This event kicks off the area’s Toys for Tots drive and this year we were able to donate $35,231 dollars to our local Marine Reserve unit. We also have been informed by T4T headquarters that this is by far the largest fund raising event for Toys for Tots nationwide.

Ventura County Detachment 597
Program runs Nov. 18 through Dec. 18, 2005
Works with Weapons Co., 2nd Bn., 23rd Marines in Port Hueneme
Responsible for Ventura County
Detachment Toys for Tots Coordinator

Major Event:
Hosted the Marine Corps Birthday Ball and Memorial Fund Benefit Dinner at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Nov. 11, 2006 with approximately 554 people attending. This is the second largest MCL Birthday Ball ceremony and dinner in the nation, second only to the MCL National Birthday Ball.

SgtMaj. Fred P. Lea Detachment 870
Covers Napa County and all fire departments
Works with the Concord Marine Reserve Unit
Napa County and Detachment Toys for Tots Coordinator

Hangtown Detachment 697
Placerville, CA area
Holds a Classic Car Show and Motorcycle Toy Run
See newpaper article

Mountain Detachment 1121
Covers the mountain communities of Fresno, Oakhurst, North Fork, Coarsegold, Raymond, and Ahwahnee