About the
For the Kids Toy Drive
Our History
For the kids originated in 1996 as part of Jacob Belt’s annual client appreciation Christmas party, in partnership with the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign.
2000 By the year 2000, it had grown in popularity to the point that it had to be moved from an office setting to function rooms at local restaurants.
2015 In the early years, if we collected 100 toys, we were ecstatic, and the Marines were also. In 2015, we hit 1,000 toys!!
2019 In 2019, over 7,500 toys were collected for the children of RI!! In addition to the Marine Corps, we worked with The Dream Center in Cranston, RI to distribute the toys.
2022 We began hosting the event at the Historic Park Theatre in Cranston. In addition to the Marine Corps, we also worked with Dream Center in Cranston RI, and Angels in Action of West Warwick to distribute the toys to local RI families in need.
2023 We’re gearing up for our biggest year yet! We are so happy to be hosting this year’s event at the Crowne Plaza in partnership with We Be Jammin’ Events Holiday Magic Marketplace, and of course, The US Marine’s Toys for Tots Program along with our local affiliates to give children throughout Rhode Island a wonderful holiday season!
It took a village. Over the years, this event has grown thanks to the hard work and dedication of Jacob Belt and multiple volunteers, businesses, organizations, and partners in the community. You can view these wonderful people and organizations on our Sponsors page.
It’s more than a one day event- so we’ve set up multiple ways to donate, from ordering from our Amazon wishlist to donating via Venmo, we’ll make sure every dollar goes to the US Marines Toys for Tots program or deserving local organizations that will serve families in need right here in our local communities. We’ll even shop for the toys for you!
Let’s make sure that every child has a smile on their face this holiday season!
Thank you,
Jacob Belt & Our Community of Volunteers
Check out our gallery of photos from the past 27 years of our event!
About the US Marines Toys for Tots Foundation
Toys for Tots, a 70-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year the Marine Corps fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7 million less fortunate children in 792 communities nationwide. Since 1947 over 244 million children have been assisted.
Delivering Hope to Children in Need
MISSION: 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.
GOAL: The primary goal of Marine Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children.
FOUNDATION OVERVIEW: The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps in 1991.
97% of every donation goes directly to providing toys to children.
