DUTCHESS COUNTY – The United States Marine Corps has launched its annual collection of toys for the “Toys for Tots” program. In Dutchess County, more than 100 collection boxes will be available for the public to donate new, unwrapped toys that will be delivered to children throughout the county.
This is the 75th year of the collaboration between the Marines and Toys for Tots. The collection boxes will be available until December 10, 2022. In 2021, the Marines Toys for Tots program distributed more than 38,000 toys to approximately 12,000 children
The Toys for Tots program began in 1947 when Marine Corps Reservist Major Bill Hendricks, under orders from his wife, collected and distributed 5,000 toys in Los Angeles. In 1991 the program was renamed the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
The objectives of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas, play an active role in the development of children, unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign, and to contribute to improving communities in the future.
Families of children that are in need of toys for the holidays can ask the Marines and Toys for Tots to help. To request assistance, individuals can sign up by clicking here.
Businesses and organizations that would like to join the Marines by having a donation box at their business or social club can send an email to DutchessToysForTots2022@gmail.com with your information and request for a collection box.
In addition to the collection box locations, the following special events are being held to collect toys:
- December 8th at the New York State Police Troop K headquarters on Route 44 for the “Stuff the Bus” event taking place from 1-3 pm.
- December 9th at Walmart in Fishkill for a “Stuff the Squad Car” from 2-4 pm. The Town of Fishkill Police Department is assisting at the event.
- December 10th at Alterniverse 874 Rt 9G in Hyde Park from noon to 5:00 p.m.
In Dutchess County, the following locations have been established as collection sites:
Amenia
- Ritchie’s Deli
- Amenia Free Library
- Great Cape Baking Company
Beacon
- Sal’s Pizza & Pasta
- Howland Public Library
- Blend
- Beacon Fire Department Station 1
- Glazed Over Donuts
- Beacon Falls Café
- Clinton Corners:
- Jeanie Bean & Family Delicatessen
Dover
- Freshco 22
- Dover Plains Library
Fishkill
- Dutchess County Pride Center
- Town of Fishkill Police Department
- I-84 Diner
- Schneider’s Fishkill Bowl
- Tomato Café
Hopewell Junction
- Beekman Library
- St. Columba Church
- Fresh
- Fresh Burger
- East Fishkill Community Library
Hyde Park
- Hyde Park Fire Department
- Hyde Park Police Department
- Alterniverse
- Red Cap Cleaners
- TEG
- Teixeira’s Polaris
- Darby O’Gills
LaGrange
- Lagrange Fire Department Stations 1 & 2
- Lagrange Association Library
Millbrook
- Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Millbrook Library
- Millbrook Deli
- Millbrook Pharmacy
- Merritt Bookstore
- Marona’s Market
Millerton
- American Legion Post 178
- NorthEast-Millerton Library
- Talk of the Towne Deli
- Irving Farm Coffee
Pawling
- Sunflour Baking Company
- Imperial Castle Toy Shop
- Tony’s Deli
- Pawling Free Library
Pine Plains
- VFW/American Legion
- Moose on the Loose
- Pine Plains Free Library
- Spud Shack
Pleasant Valley
- Pleasant Valley Fire Department Stations 1 & 2
- Madison’s Pizza
- Pleasant Valley Library
- Publick House
- Edward Jones
- Ala Tompkins Trading Card Games
City and Town of Poughkeepsie
- Fairview Fire Department
- Adriance Memorial Library
- Boardman Road Library
- Scott Marxer – State Farm Insurance
- Gravity Vault
- Mahoney’s Irish Pub & Steakhouse
- Shelly’s Deli
- Jason Patrick’s on 44
- Red Cap Cleaners (Main St)
- Spins Bowl
- TEG (all locations)
- The Crafted Kup (all locations)
- NorthStar Sports
- Zeus Brewing Company
- Arlington Fire District Headquarters
Poughquag
- TEG
- Pleasant Ridge Pizzeria
- Beekman Square Diner
Red Hook
- Annabelle’s Village Bake Shop
- Cornucopia Deli
- Holy Cow Ice Cream
- Little Pickles
- Red Hook Community Center
Rhinebeck
- Bread Alone Bakery
- Town of Clinton Town Hall
- Rhinebeck Bagels & Cafe
- Starr Library
- Ruge’s Dodge
- Ruge’s Subaru
- IXL Health & Fitness Club
Salt Point
- NYS Police Troop K (all locations)
- Salt Point Fire Department
Staatsburg
- Staatsburg Library
- Black Snake Brewing Company
- Milea Estate Vineyard
Stanfordville
- Big Rock Market
- Roosters Route 82 Home and Hardware Center
- McCarthy’s Pharmacy
Tivoli
- Tivoli Fire Department
- Tivoli Free Library
Wappingers Falls
- Spins Bowl
- TEG (all locations)
- AJ’s Café
- Grinnell Library
- Portofino Pizza & Pasta
Wingdale
- Ben’s Deli
