Toys for Tots Collecting Gifts for Children

The 38th annual Toys for Tots Campaign began Monday to provide a little joy for poverty-stricken children during Christmas, campaign officials said.

The three-week effort will collect toys and distribute them to the children.

Last year, San Diegans donated more than 20,000 toys, part of the approximately 5.5 million collected in 180 cities that participated in the campaign, officials said.

The toy drive ends Dec. 24, and those contributing are urged to give new, unwrapped toys.

Local Marine Reserve battalions will pick up the contributions at 200 drop points throughout the county. Some drop-off areas include Sea World, the Rancho Bernardo Shopping Plaza, Midas Muffler Shops, Merrill Lynch Real Estate offices and participating San Diego Fire Department stations, campaign officials said.

Anyone wishing to donate toys may contact the Marine Corps Reserves 4th Tank Battalion at Camp Elliot, south of the Miramar Naval Air Station, to find out the nearest drop-off point. The Urban League and the County Department of Social Services will award the toys to families on the basis of financial need. Welfare recipients normally qualify under the toy program, campaign officials said.

Bill Hendricks, a retired Marine colonel who lives in Burbank and founded the toy campaign, said the idea of providing toys for needy children began with a doll made by his wife, Diane.

Hendricks said that in 1947 his wife had knitted a rag doll and decided to give it away. After searching Los Angeles in vain for a organization that would take toy donations, Hendricks’ wife asked him to start one.

Hendricks obtained permission for the project from his commanding officer and received the help of Marines, churches, movie theaters, automobile agencies, fire departments, newspapers and “whoever would say hello to me.” He and his crews took to the streets, gathering, repairing and eventually delivering the donated toys.