QUESTION: Who decides which children get the toys and how do they receive the toys?

ANSWER: The Memphis Marines work hand in hand with three local charities, MIFA, The Angel Tree Foundation, and The Angels of Love Foundation. Through these three charities we are able to reach over two hundred churches in the greater Memphis area. Generally, church leaders then decide which members of their congregation and community are in need. Once they have determined the need the churches will then deliver the toys the Memphis Marines have collected to those deserving children.

QUESTION: Are Toys that are collected in Memphis distributed in Memphis?

ANSWER: Yes. All Toys that are collected by the Memphis Marines remain in the Memphis area. Further, the Memphis Marines make every effort to ensure that Toys remain as close as possible to the point where they were donated. For instance, Toys collected and donated in Dyersburg will be distributed to needy children in Dyersburg.

QUESTION: How much of the money that I donate goes to running/supporting Toys for Tots infrastructure and how much goes to purchasing Toys for children?

ANSWER: The Toys for Tots Foundation is a National Charitable Information Bureau (NCIB) approved charity. Currently, only five percent of monies donated to the Toys for Tots Foundation are used for operating costs. These costs include advertising, mailing costs, shipping costs, and fuel costs to collect and distribute toys. Toys for Tots is listed in the "Top 100" list of NCIB's nation wide charities with only fourteen charities having less over-head costs.

QUESTION: Is Toys for Tots affiliated with the United States Marine Corps?

ANSWER: Yes it is. The United States Marine Corps Reserve officially adopted Toys for Tots Program as its principal nation wide community service project. Toys for Tots operates as a non-profit foundation while Marines participate in an "executive loan" program during the months of November and December. Marines volunteer and donate their time to collect and distribute toys to support Toys for Tots during this period. No federal funds are used to support the program. Logistical support for Toys for Tots comes from gifts in kind and donated monies.