Marine Toys For Tots

For three years now, I've had to rely on Toy's for Tots. The first year, I chalked up the McDonalds happy meal toys along with quarter machine toys that were given and was grateful to others having a hard year as well. Because I see all the great toys donated at the Toys for Tots centers and thought ok, maybe I just got a bad batch. Last year, I again received used toys, which I donated back, and didn't bother with a tree or decorations. Again, this year, my bag was filled with McDonald's happy meal toys, used dolls missing shoes with writings all over them, and a few $0.25 machine items, temp tattoos , etc. I'm grateful for anything given, but if you are going to take the time to choose a name to donate to, then feel it's ok to give toys that are used, bought from happy meals, or from bubble gum machines, don't bother. I asked for help to make their Christmas magical, or at least worth putting a tree up for, although they know the real meaning. This time of year is magical to children, but to receive happy meal toys etc., no thanks. I'd rather receive nothing to give them what Toys for Tots has been giving. Just so you know, I met someone that works within the company a few years ago and the over abundance of DECENT toys she gave my children after the season was over was amazing. I thought, well my goodness, why are these all left over toys? And because of that, when struggling these past few years, along with seeing the awesome toys that were donated, it blows my mind that happy meal toys and quarter machine toys, used books, dolls with stains and missing parts, were all part of the 5-6 items donated per child for my 2 child family home. So glad I didn't put up a tree again this year and told my children Santa is still scared of Covid, and now the flu and rsv, and that's the reason for no celebration this year. How humiliating to even ask for help, but then to go to wrap presents and they are nothing but trash, so much more humiliating carrying that black trash bag home with excitement and joy in my own heart, just to be disappointed. Where are all those good toys I saw in the Toys For Tots boxes going? Back to the stores for a refund? Please, PLEASE, tell those who are willing to 'donate', to not donate used toys. Or quarter machine toys. Or happy meal toys. Don't donate at all if this is all you have to offer. Maybe it's a social thing to make them feel better amongst their peers. If you are going to brag, make sure to let them know you are donating trash first...😞

First year applying for toys- I usually donate every year but this year I needed some help. I drove 35 mins from baltimore county to baltimore city for the pick up location. Waited from 5:30-8:30 pm with my 2 1/2 year old in the car he slept most of the time but woke up after two hours and a half so then I had to deal with a cranky toddler who had been in the car way too long. When I got to the front they told me have a goodnight and I responded I didn’t get anything yet. I was asked to sign a piece of paper I couldn’t read in the dark and given a white trash bag that had two items inside. When I got home I couldn’t have been more upset and disappointed. I waited three hours for baby toys. Items that were for a 6 months old. A foam block that was from the dollar store and a book. 3 hours. Wow

I waited from 9-5 at my drop off address. Plus had someone at my new address. No show so I emailed them. At 9pm I get a phone call saying they were here. The lady was very rude to me. Then go to open my door and the bad was thrown at my door and the girl said nothing and ran down the steps. So we received 4 presents. 2 which got broken when the bag was tossed at my door. And the other 2 were for summer. I am beyond devastated I will NEVER request help from toys for tots again. My son has a total of 2 Christmas presents now and had to explain to him what happened and why he will have to wait for more gift the beginning of next month. My heart is broken over this. I really hope No one else experiences this unprofessional behavior. God bless

My mother went tonight to go to pick up my sister's presents. She stood in line for two hours for two things. A set of stuffed monkeys that came from the dollar store and a purse that looked like something an old lady would carry. Neither of these things being something my 10 year old sister would use. My mom was signed up and there on time and there was people walking out of there with two bikes and helmets and a bag full of toys also. Toys for tots does not make anything fair for these kids. Were not the type to complain or be ungrateful but theres plenty of kids in need this year. Why do something big for one family and not make it fair? That's absolutely wrong.

I signed up for Toys for Tots this year for my child. I think this the worst charity program in Baltimore county. The organization who runs the program only give toys to who they want. It was so unorganized. You stood in line for 2 hours with your kids just to go inside of a door that the call by last initials so people who were in line behind you comes forward. The organization gave the good toys to who they wanted to. Also whoever complained they got nasty with because they were not treating people fairly. They decided this year to let their kids pick out the toys for the kids of people they didn't know in which they picked whatever they saw first without a care in the world for the kids they were going to. At the end I ended up spending 4 hours at the establishment and it was a complete waste of my time. The chief's son gave ma a bag with three little toys in which I got home and my one year old can't even play with sand or play dough.

Out of all those donations my 1 year old son god I item which was a box of tiny LEGO’s which is something he could choke on and a stuffed animal!!! I really believe the people giving out the toys or making those bags are keeping items for themselves because it’s no way I stood in that long line for 1 items!! This was in Baltimore ,Md and I’m highly upset about!Of course my kids already had things this was just to add to what I had already brought.My daughter got like 4 cheesy items to the point when I left there I went back to Walmart and spent about 200 more dollars!!!This was just a waste of gas and time!!

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. First time trying since i was in desperate need. Application was submitted back in October of 2022 for December of 2022. It was the day for us to pick up our bags and come to find out when I pulled up I had a sheriff yelling at me “ it’s closed! You should have received an email. NO MORE TOYS.” Let alone this event opened up at 9:30am and I had got there at 10:40am! I was turned away with no apology no explanation nothing!!! I was told I was going to still hear from them and NEVER did

It was like they gave us trash and a quick walk throug Dollar General. Fruit snacks. A used stuffed animal that was ruined. Some cheap toy tablet with Chinese writing on it. Two packs of UNO cards. Four dolls for my ten month old. Yet inside there was a bunch of brand new bicycles, an electric car thing, etc. Bet those aren't going to any of the real applicants.

This year has been one of the worst experience I have ever had with Toys for Tots. I signed up in October and on my application I specifically asked for bikes for my grandkids and was first told they ran out and then I was told the Carrollton Georgia location wasn't allocated to get any bikes this year. I am a working grandmother and my grandkids father who is my son is incarcerated so the Toys for Tots really used to help. No only did they not have the bikes they didn't give me anything for my grandson. My question is we're is all of the toys being sent. Something is not right for sure.

I was asking to sign up my 12 and 14 year old. I was belittled and made to feel like I was trash to ask for help. When I just told them forget it and delete my application they then said I done this because they asked for documentation. I have documentation, the birth certificates and anything they needed to prove I was mom and their ages. THEY DID THIS BECAUSE I TOLD THEM I WOULD LET EVERYONE SEE A COPY OF THEIR EMAILS. I HAVE WROTE THE MAIN TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM HEADQUARTERS AND I HAVE WROTE TO ALL PLACES WORKING WITHEM SUCH AS LIFETIME.

Signed up on first day of registration and still got turned back.. Lady in Conroe TX was so rude.. Never received an emails or call back for my kids toys.. Very disappointed, now my kids will be without presents.. Thank you toys for tots!

The school my grandkids go to, signed them up for your program and said y'all would be delivering them some toys Christmas morning" today" and y'all didn't show up and they didn't have a very good Christmas. For that I will never give to and I will tell everyone I know what kind of program y'all run.

I have two full boxes of toys that they never came to pick up after several calls made to them. I'm sure some children didn't get much because of their negligence. I suggest finding a better organization.