“Toys for Tots is meaningful to us because it represents dignity, joy, and hope for children during a time of year that can otherwise highlight what they’re missing. The holidays are supposed to feel magical, but for many families that simply isn’t the reality. Being able to play even a small role in restoring that sense of wonder — especially for children who may feel overlooked — is deeply important to us. We started many years ago with very small, meaningful donations and a simple desire to help. What motivated us initially was the understanding that even one gift can make a child feel seen. Over time, as we involved our professional network and saw how eager people were to contribute when given the opportunity, it became clear that this could grow into something much larger than we ever imagined. Our involvement has evolved into a true labor of love. Through my Century Fire Protection and their connections and a generous corporate match, we now organize an annual fundraising effort that includes outreach, coordination, and significant hands-on time. Each year involves hours of planning, fundraising, shopping, and logistics to ensure donations are thoughtful and impactful. We also intentionally focus on older children and teens — a group that often gets forgotten in toy drives — because they deserve joy just as much as younger kids. The impact has been incredibly humbling. Financially, what began as a modest effort has grown into raising over $14,000 in donations. But beyond the numbers, we’ve seen how this initiative brings people together — colleagues, companies, and friends rallying around a shared purpose. We’ve also seen firsthand how targeted giving for older children fills a real gap and meets a genuine need within the system.
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