Backpacks Bring Comfort to Children in California

The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to provide joy and comfort to children in need no matter the time of year. Disadvantaged children face hardships every day of their lives, and Toys for Tots stives to be a year-round force for good and remind them that they are not forgotten. Over the spring and summer months, the Program has provided toys, books, games, and school supplies to local nonprofits across the Nation to be distributed to economically disadvantaged children.

In Walnut Creek, California, the Sydney Paige Foundation hosted a backpack distribution event that provided 20,000 students with the tools they’ll need to be successful in the classroom for the upcoming academic year. The school supplies were tailored by grade level, and the donated backpacks included a combination of items like notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, and much more.

Many of the children that attended the event had never owned a new backpack. The children would inherit one from an older sibling or family member, so the distribution event was even more special for them!

The event was also special for the volunteers who witnessed countless smiles on children's faces. “One boy asked me if I was sure he was allowed to have the toy,” said Courtney Brockmeyer, Sydney Paige Foundation’s Founder. “He was worried someone else might need it more than him, and that just struck me because it exemplifies our mission of elevating the community and breaking the cycle of need.”

With the assistance of nonprofit organizations across the country, Marine Toys for Tots continues to turn the page on poverty—providing hope and comfort beyond the holiday season.