DAVIS COUNTY—The year was 1947. The most devastating conflict in modern history had just come to a close only two years prior, and the world was only beginning to heal. An officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, Major William L. Hendricks was presented with an issue by his wife, Diane Hendricks. 

Diane had made several cloth dolls and had asked her husband to deliver them to an organization that distributed toys to children in need for Christmas. Maj. Hendricks dutifully looked around for any such organization and reported back that one simply didn’t exist. Diane responded that he should make one himself, and thus, Toys for Tots was born. 

It was just the next year that the program was officially adopted by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and it has expanded exponentially ever since. The mission is simple, according to Jamie McKinney, who oversees the program in Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties, “(we) make sure every child who is less fortunate has something to open on Christmas morning.” Since 1948, Toys for Tots has been doing just that.

Last year alone, in just the Weber/Morgan/Davis County area, Toys for Tots was able to serve over 6,000 children during the Holiday season, a fact made all the more impressive knowing that the organization is 100% volunteer. But how does it work? How do all of the logistics fall into place so that thousands of children are able to get a new toy for Christmas?

Jamie McKinney explained the copious amounts of work and detail that go into making each year a success. This includes selecting distribution dates, and collection locations, and working with each family that has signed up to receive a gift. Families can sign up online, and as McKinney put it, each situation is different, and she really wants to help as many people as they can, “this is about the kids.”

When the time comes to distribute the toys, it really is a special experience. Donations are arranged by age group, and volunteers are able to take families around and let them pick out something they know the kids will enjoy, “We don’t want to choose for the kids,” said McKinney, explaining that the parents generally know best what their child will enjoy the most. While it is a lot of work that goes into each year, the rewards are incalculable, “this is a very humbling job,” said McKinney. 

Each family is treated as specially as possible, to make it a memorable holiday, but for as many as possible, “we try to go the extra mile,” McKinney said. This includes paying special attention to those whose needs are keenly felt for one reason or another, “we really want to take care of everyone.” And it’s with help from donations that Toys for Tots is able to do just that. 

In addition to private events held by local businesses every year, those wanting to donate can find collection bins in every Papa Murphy’s in the area, many of the Starbucks, and other local businesses all listed on https://ogden-ut.toysfortots.org/. There are other ways to donate as well, said McKinney. 

If people don’t have toys to donate or would like to simply donate money, there are QR codes on each of the boxes around the county, as well as the option to donate online. All of the funds donated this year, must be used this year, which means “the sooner people want to donate, the better,” said McKinney. That way, they’ll be able to help more people, more quickly.

Despite helping thousands of kids last year, McKinney still wants to improve, “I want to do more,” she said, and she plans to. McKinney and her organization are hoping to involve more cities next year, and maybe even include fire and police departments to see who can collect more donations across the region.