1-800-FLOWERS.COM Creates Toys for Tots Holiday Collection to Help Deliver Holiday Magic to Children Across the Nation

Many families are feeling the financial pinch this holiday season. Unfortunately, with the massive increases in unemployment, this holiday season there are a lot more families going without this season.. without toys, without food, without homes.

The Marines Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

Now in its 62nd year, Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to economically disadvantaged children through the gift of a new toy during the Christmas holiday season. These gifts offer children hope, recognition and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the gifts they provide, such as books, games and sports equipment, make a significant contribution to the educational, social and recreational development of these children. In 2008, Marines distributed gifts to 7.6 million children in over 600 communities nationwide.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public as well as support from corporate sponsors, to include its Four Star Partners Hasbro, Inc; JAKKS Pacific, Inc; Scholastic and Toys "R" Us, Inc.

This year, in an effort to contribute to helping children in need, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM has decided to donate 10% of the Net Proceeds from product orders from its Toys for Tots Holiday Collection to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

From the Press Release from 1-800-FLOWERS 12/02/09:

This holiday, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLWS), the world's leading florist and gift shop, supports the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation through its new Toys for Tots Collection of holiday flowers and gifts. In an effort to help spread the warm and fuzzy feeling to children in need, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will donate 10% of the Net Proceeds from product orders from its Toys for Tots Holiday Collection to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "With 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, we will be able to plant a seed of hope in many more children this holiday season," says Lt. General Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "With the support of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, we hope to achieve our goal of delivering toys to children throughout the United States."

"1-800-FLOWERS.COM is excited to team up with Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to help deliver the magic of the holidays," said Jim McCann, Founder and CEO 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. "With the Toys for Tots Holiday Collection, both 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and its customers will have the opportunity to support this important campaign and help children in need." 1-800-FLOWERS.COM has launched a Secret Santa application in support of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation which is accessible via Facebook. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM encourages visitors to share the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM's Secret Santa application and help spread the warm fuzzy feeling this holiday season. In addition to the donation of 10% of the Net Proceeds from product orders from its Toys for Tots Holiday Collection, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will make an added donation as visitors share the application through December 20, 2009.

According to the most recent U.S. Census, there are an estimated 13 million children in the United States living in poverty. As a result, Toys for Tots conducts many activities throughout the year which help generate toy and monetary donations to aid in the development of underprivileged children in the U.S. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and Toys for Tots are committed to improving the lives of children in communities across the country, therefore, pairing their collective resources will move both organizations closer to achieving that goal.
For additional information, please visit www.1800flowers.com/toysfortots.

No matter what our financial situation is, every year I take my children to get new toys for the Toys for Tots program. It's important for me to instill the true spirit of giving during the holidays, and all year around. It makes me feel so good to watch our kids drop the toy in the box and to support such a great cause. It only takes a minute, and with drop off locations all over the US, a drop off location is always nearby.

13 million children are living in poverty, 13 million! That number is mind blowing, but knowing that my children and I contributed to making somebody's holiday better warms my heart. The kids might be too young to truly understand it, but they expect it every year, and it's becoming part of our holiday tradition.

Want to Help Contribute?
Visit Toys for Tots and find a drop off box near you to help a child in need have a joyous holiday. Then, visit 1-800-FLOWERS and purchase some of the beautiful gifts and arrangements from the Toys for Tots Collection and enter the promotion code TOYS at the checkout until 12/31 to make your contribution count!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and will end on December 20th, at 11:59pm EST. One winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. Disclosure: The item reviewed was provided to me, at no cost, by the 1-800-Flowers Inc.to review. I did not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about this experience, and all opinions expressed are my own.




WINNER!

Please read the WINNERS POST for more information on how to claim your prize! Thank you all for participating in our giveaway. Happy Holidays!