Toys for Tots Set to Kick Off Holiday Season

Organizers of the annual U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program are gearing up for another successful year of the holiday toy campaign for children. Last year, the effort collected more than 91,000 toys that were distributed to over 56,000 kids in the Philadelphia area.

Christmas Babies was one of the recipients of the Toys for Tots campaign. The group's president, Ashley Capaldi, said the police department's SWAT unit helps Christmas Babies deliver gifts to young crime victims and children in the DHS system or the hospital. Last year, Christmas Babies gave presents to 466 children.

On Friday, July 25, at the police department's SWAT unit, 8501 State Road, members of the U.S. Marine Corps held a recognition ceremony, honoring Deputy City Managing Director Mike Garvey and awarding certificates and plaques to the Marine Corps League and Mission BBQ community ambassador Shannon Sperduto-Wong. 

According to a Northeast Times report, Sperduto-Wong was acknowledged for her decade of service to Toys for Tots. The Mission BBQ at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. had hosted the Toys for Tots kickoff until it closed. Sperduto-Wong has remained with the company and will continue to work for Mission BBQ following her move to Florida.

Jen Malazita, the warehouse manager overseeing Toys for Tots, said that companies can obtain a toy drop box or host a toy collection event by visiting philadelphia-pa.toysfortots.org starting Oct. 1. Nonprofits who want to participate in the toy distribution must submit a request by Nov. 14. Toys will be distributed through Dec. 5. Families who wish to receive toys must submit a request by Dec. 5. Distribution will run through Dec. 19.