Toys for Tots of Northeast Missouri announces campaign success

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Toys for Tots of Northeast Missouri recently announced the success of its 2024 campaign.

“The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is more than just a holiday toy drive. It provides a lifetime of hope and security to children and families in need,” Stephanie Cooper, Toys for Tots of Northeast Missouri coordinator, said in a press release. “Through the dedication of our donors, corporate sponsors and tireless volunteers, we were able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of nearly 2,000 children right here in our community.”

• Total children served: 1,932
• Total toys distributed: 11,665
• Total books distributed: 7,960
• Total stocking stuffers distributed: 8,608
• Total funds raised: $11,757.37 (collected from private donations, grants and fundraising efforts)

Impact by county:

• Lewis County: 21 families served, 51 children received toys
• Marion County: 318 families served, 1,044 children received toys
• Monroe County: 25 families served, 107 children received toys
• Pike County: 113 families served, 343 children received toys
• Ralls County: 12 families served, 45 children received toys
• Shelby County: 16 families served, 43 children received toys

The Marine Toys for Tots Program, the U.S. Marine Corps’ premier community action program, distributed 25.5 million toys, books, and other gifts to 10.3 million economically disadvantaged children in 2023. While its primary mission is to bring hope and joy during the holidays — including through the Toys for Tots Native American Program, which provides support to remote Reservations — Toys for Tots also operates year-round initiatives to serve children beyond Christmas.

These programs are:

• The Toys for Tots Literacy Program, which distributed 4.1 million books to children in need, including 900,000 books to Title I-funded schools.
• The Foster Care Initiative, which supported more than 332,000 at-risk children, including those living in foster care.
• Disaster relief efforts, which provided critical support to families impacted by natural disasters across the country.
• The donation of 109 truckloads of emotional relief gifts to nonprofit partners to be distributed throughout the year.

For more information on how to support future campaigns, email hannibal.mo@toysfortots.org.