MOLINE, Ill. — Toys for Tots Quad Cities has opened its online toy applications as it begins its 76th year of the Marine Corps Reserve program.
The program supported more than 6,600 children in the 2022 campaign, collecting and distributing more than 29,000 toys across six counties in Iowa and Illinois.
The Marine Corps Reserve says its mission is "to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens."
The online toy application opened Sunday, Oct. 1, and continues through Friday, Nov. 24. To apply online, click here and select "Request a Toy."
To be eligible to apply, a child must be between the ages of 6 months and 12 years old. After submitting this information online, an applicant must verify in person with the guardian ID and the children's birth certificates.
The in-person verification events will be held at 1 Montgomery Drive in Moline (near the foot of the old KONE Tower). That period of verification will run Oct. 30 through Dec. 2 but specific dates and times will be announced soon.
Toy distribution will be on the following dates:
- Friday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Donations
Donation boxes will start showing up in businesses around the Quad Cities on Monday, Oct. 16. Toy collection will run through Wednesday, Dec. 6.
- Online donation link - Click on "Donate Online"
- List of toy drop boxes - Click on "Donate a Toy"
- Local events - Click on "About Us," then "Local Events"
- Volunteer applications - Click on "Get Involved"
Checks can be made out to "Toys for Tots" and mailed to Toys for Tots Coordinator, 218 Rodman Ave., Rock Island, IL 61201.
