The United States Marines from the U.S. Embassy Ottawa will help brighten the holiday season for the children of Ronald McDonald House by bringing them gifts collected through their annual Toys for Tots campaign. Excitement will be the order of the day on December 18 when the Marines, accompanied by Santa Claus, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce A. Heyman and his wife Mrs. Vicki Heyman drop by for a visit.
WHAT: Toys for Tots event at Ronald McDonald House
WHEN: December 18, 2015
TIME: 10:00 a.m. (official program starts at 10:30 a.m.)
WHERE: 407 Smyth Rd.
The Marines at the U.S. Embassy Ottawa have worked with Ronald McDonald House for nine years, and last year collected more than 200 toys.
Colonel William L. Hendricks (USMC) started Toys for Tots in 1947 in Los Angeles, California. Toys for Tots welcomes donations of new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December, and delivers them to children as a message of hope and caring at Christmas. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created in September, 1991 as a permanent non-profit foundation, and, in 1995, the U.S. Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the U.S. Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.
This local Toys for Tots campaign is driven entirely by the Marines at the U.S. Embassy who work tirelessly to collect the toys they bring to Ronald McDonald House. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving as toys are distributed to children residing at the house not only at Christmas time, but throughout the year.
Media are invited to come and share in the excitement.
Media Contacts
Carol Houston
Executive Director
Ronald McDonald House
Tel: 613-737-5523
Email: info@rmhottawa.com
Jennifer Young
Senior Media Specialist
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
Tel: 613-688-5315
Email: youngjm1@state.gov
