Sometimes, a loved one really doesn’t need any more stuff. But there so many children out there that do, and their families are struggling to provide for them. Around Christmastime, you might consider helping someone for Christmas, on behalf of someone in your family.

This week, we’re going to focus on a big organization that you’ve probably heard of: Toys for Tots.

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots mission is simple: “to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.”

Here’s how it works:

One individual, either a Marine, member of a Marine Corps League Detachment, or member of a local community organization, is designated the Toys for Tots Coordinator for that community.

Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until mid to late December.  Toy distribution also takes place mid to late December.  Members of the community drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses.  Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender.  At Christmas, Coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the less fortunate children of the community.

Toys for Tots works with the community and within the military structure to keep its programs lean and efficient.

And they make it easy to donate to the organization, and 97% of your online donation goes to the mission of Toys for Tots, i.e. getting those toys out to girls and boys. This is a nice way to participate in holiday shopping for toys but to also share with those who are less fortunate. It’s also a great gift to give in someone else’s honor.