December 14, 2021
For Immediate Release
U.S. Marines to safely celebrate Toys for Tots delivery at Ronald McDonald House Charities Ottawa
OTTAWA —U.S. Embassy Ottawa’s United States Marine Corps detachment will deliver new and unwrapped toys to the children at Ronald McDonald House Charities Ottawa as part of their annual Marine Toys for Tots campaign. U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen will attend the delivery on December 20, which marks 15 years that the Marines have collected toys for the Ronald McDonald House.
The Marines will take precautions to ensure the toy delivery poses no health risk to the children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Instead of celebrating inside the House, the Marines will have an outdoor and physically-distanced surprise planned – featuring Santa Claus, of course! Media are invited to attend and cover the event.
WHAT: Toys for Tots event at Ronald McDonald House
WHEN: December 20, 2021
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 407 Smyth Rd.
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 organized entirely by the Marines at the U.S. Embassy who collect the toys they bring to Ronald McDonald House. Toys are distributed to children residing at the House not only in December, but also on occasions throughout the year.
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Christine Hardy
Chief Executive Officer
Ronald McDonald House Charities Ottawa
613-737-5523 / info@rmhottawa.com
Janelle Blakley
Press and Media Coordinator
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
613-688-5316
blakleyjm@state.gov
