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Toys are powerful. Toys are more than just a plaything. Toys are a beacon of hope, a spark of imagination, and sometimes, a lifeline for families in need. It's not hard to find instances where people help people in this season of giving. It's a bit more fun when I get to flip the script and talk about how the military serves their local communities, not by standing a post and protecting freedom, but by playing the role of Santa Claus. The United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program is a year-round mission dedicated to supporting the nearly 40% of American children living in impoverished households. Toys for Tots partners with local organizations to deliver books, toys, and educational games to children across the country. Imagine the joy on a child's face when they receive their first Lego set, a luxury often out of reach for many families. These moments are not just about gifts. The are also about instilling hope and showing that brighter days are possible. The challenges faced by economically disadvantaged families don't take a break after the holiday season. That's why the Marine Toys for Tots Program operates year-round, ensuring that children continue to receive the support they need. It's a reminder that kindness and generosity should be constants in our lives, not just seasonal gestures. If you're looking to make a difference, consider how your brand or organization can contribute to such impactful programs. Whether through sponsorship, volunteering, or spreading the word, every action counts. #MilitaryMarketing #MilitaryAppreciation #Military #SeasonOfGiving

Very proud of my daughter Sofia’s #ServiceProject benefiting the #Blackfeet #NativeAmerican #Tribe in #Montana . She needs just a little bit more to reach her goal! Please consider supporting her cause by donating and clicking on the link below. Many #BlackfeetTribe students do not have the ability to buy a #Halloween costume due to: 1) financial hardship; 2) closest retail stores are hundreds of miles away; and 3) tribe members do not have mailboxes, so the adult in the multifamily household has to go to the post office which is very far away. Providing #Halloween costumes to poor children in a rural community can serve many important purposes, including: 1) promoting inclusion and participation; 2) offering joy, fun and equal opportunities; 3) community building; 4) encouraging creativity and imagination; 5) reducing social and economic stigmas; 6) creating memories; and 7) strenghtening community bonds. On the #Blackfeet Reservation, unemployment is over 10% and of those who work, 70% of those are employed to work for the tribal or federal government. Opportunities are extremely limited. The literacy rate among the #Blackfeet students when compared to their peers in Montana is extremely low, well below the 40th percentile of children in the 5th grade read at grade level. Please consider donating today! #BrowningElementary #WestminsterChristianSchool #Service #NativeAmericans

Creating a thriving environment for infants and toddlers is more than arranging a room—it's about crafting a space that supports their growth, safety, and well-being. Want practical tips to enhance your space? 👉 https://bit.ly/4e7gS1g #inclusionmatters #childsafety

Voice of the Customer matters. While improving Financial Wellness is our reason for being, our community asked for costumes too,,, should we? Within our guaranteed service areas, STEP is serving 1% of our young military and veteran families,,, and these families are in some of the most challenging financial situations you may have ever seen. On a daily basis, our social worker-financial counselors work 1-1 with these families to stabilize the situation and basic necessities, then empower and educate to help each family create a plan to never return to this type of situation. This is hard for all parties involved, but the 90% long-term success rate is what brings the reward for the sacrifice. For the above engagements to occur and be successful, the entire team at Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) must build positive, mutually beneficial and honest relationships, and brand awareness, with the military community. So when we realized the pattern of families requesting Halloween costume support, we polled our donor community,,, and they said 'yes.' This will not be a distraction from our core mission, but a way to reach more families, more donors, build more trust and awareness. These pros outweigh any cons, as our great volunteers flock to STEP to manage these programs. So this year, we will give this collection and distribution event our best, first effort. Please reach out if you want to get involved: info@teamstepusa.org Together, our community will enjoy more smiles, joy and hope,,, and all because we communicated with each other - imagine what else we could do... :) Tracy Tracy Laura Deborah Bill Miguel James Greg Jenni Isaac Brett Jennifer Jennifer Barb Denise Ann Marie Price #teamstepusa #stepexperian

This is a great program and super easy to help some deserving kids start off the school year right. It’s only $150 to support just (1) kid but any amount helps. If you can spare placing that Uber eats order and instead put that money towards helping a kid in need…… wouldn’t you?! If you'd to sponsor a child: salarmy.us/btsoldnavy If you'd like to volunteer: https://lnkd.in/gdpSNEVs #thesalvationarmy #backtoschoolshopping #helpothers #giveback #thankyou Copy/Paste from link within: Most of us remember the excitement of putting on new clothes, lacing up new shoes, and wearing a backpack for the first day of school. But for many children, the first day of school isn't anything to get excited about. For 25+ years, The Salvation Army has provided hundreds of local, at-risk children with clothing, school supplies, and a backpack to start the year off right. Our goal is to simply break down barriers to educational success. For some of these students, this is the one time during the year that they’ll receive something new. Last year, 825 kids participated in this program. We hope to raise the funds to serve even more this year! It costs $150 to send one child back to school with confidence. How many kids can you help?

The Importance of Giving to Toys for Tots During my 20 years in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve, I had the honor of heading up several Toys for Tots drives and Served On The Toys for Tots Task Force 1990 - 1993 Partnering with organizations like KARE 11 Television and K102 Radio in Minneapolis, we worked tirelessly to bring smiles to the faces of children in need during the holiday season. This mission, led by the Marine Corps Reserve, has always been close to my heart, and I want to share why it’s so important. What is Toys for Tots? Founded in 1947, Toys for Tots is a nationwide program that collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December and distributes them to less fortunate children. The goal? To deliver not just toys, but hope, joy, and a sense of inclusion during the holidays. Why It Matters: • Brightening Lives: Millions of children across the country face the holidays without the joy of a gift. Toys for Tots ensures these children experience the magic of the season. • Strengthening Communities: Toys for Tots fosters community connection, bringing together donors, volunteers, and families. It’s a program built on generosity and compassion. • Empowering Families: For families struggling to make ends meet, this program eases the burden during a financially stressful time of year. How You Can Help: • Donate Toys: Drop off new, unwrapped toys at designated locations near you. • Make a Financial Contribution: Donations help purchase toys where gaps exist. •Volunteer: Help sort, collect, or distribute toys in your community. •Spread the Word: Share this post or encourage your network to get involved. I’ve seen firsthand the difference this program makes—not just in the lives of the children who receive the gifts but in the hearts of those who give. There’s something deeply fulfilling about knowing you’ve brought joy to a child who might otherwise feel forgotten during the holidays. Visit toysfortots.org to find out how you can get involved today. Together, we can ensure no child goes without a toy this holiday season. Let’s make this year the best one yet for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Initiative! 🎁

Some of us are blessed to wake up on Christmas morning with a room full of love, laughter, and family. The call of our children early in the morning, their voices full of energy and excitement. For me, it’s my very most favorite holiday for those very same reasons. I love traditions and more than anything I love my children and seeing their smiles on Christmas morning. Not everyone has this privilege. Think about children who have been recently removed from their homes, feeling uncertainty, feeling lost and a terrible feeling of grief, not knowing what has happened, not understanding why they are suddenly in a strangers home. Not understanding why “Mom” is not there, wondering where their brother or sister went, why are they not together? Confused about how nice the people are in this new home, but sad because it’s not their home, it’s not their bed, they don’t have their favorite comforting blanket and plush toy. The smell is different, the food looks different, it’s not what “Mom” cooks. Just imagine… This is the feeling of the hundreds of children placed in Foster Care and Residential homes everyday. Its not much compared to all that they have lost, but together we can help share a little joy during the most magical time of the year. Together we can make wishes come true and hope that in someway we have touch the life of a child when they need it most, together we can make a difference! Let’s spread joy together! When participating in Secret Santa you are helping a child in need, who like other children, have wishes and “maybe” a little hope. Interested? Email SecretSanta@HelixHumanServices.org with your interest. We will do our best to match your preferred age and gender. You can help by requesting one wish list and purchasing items on the list. Each wish list is written by each child/youth. I have to say - full disclosure- its fun to see how creative children can get, but sad to see wishes you can fulfill, like “I wish I could see my dad” or “I want to be with my sister”. Other ways to help is making a monetary donation (we do the shopping for you), hosting a toy drive or giving tree, or purchasing an item (or a few) from the Secret Santa Amazon Wish List. Have any questions? Lets chat! To learn more about Helix Human Services and the children and families we serve: www.HelixHumanServices.org To make a monetary donation or learn more about Secret Santa visit: https://lnkd.in/e5MEGNST To see the Amazon Wish List visit (remember as wish lists come in the list of items increases): Link coming soon. Thank you for helping make wishes come true!

💬 "It's not good enough that we don't have the right places for children in the areas that are local to them." - Katharine Sacks-Jones, our Chief Exec, speaking on Channel 4 News last night on our new #StillTooFar report on distant moves. 💜 Join our #GoneTooFar campaign to keep children close to people & places that matter to them when in their best interests: https://lnkd.in/eMqjbhSC #CareSystem #Campaign #CareExperience

Part 3: New Initiatives and Community Support Networks Youth Engagement and Summer Activities This year, we hosted our first youth engagement session with Nottinghamshire Police, which was well attended. Support Through Sport also provided exciting activities for local youth during the summer holidays. Courses for Skill Development With Futures Business, we offered Multiply courses, and Inspire ran workshops on budget management. Both were well received, and we’re already planning more courses for 2025 to help the community grow and thrive. Community Action and Litter Picks We partnered with Broxtowe Borough Council to organise Litter Pick sessions and supported bulky waste days with volunteers, helping to keep Stapleford clean. We also supported the White Ribbon Campaign, raising a flag to spread awareness about domestic abuse, and worked with Broxtowe Women’s Project to support survivors.

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