December 14, 2022 

Whether you were a child that was in need of a toy, a child that was encouraged to pick out a toy to donate, or simply a child that saw the large boxes filled with your Christmas hopes and dreams, for one reason or another, we are all familiar with the red train cars of the Toys for Tots Program. 

Toys for Tots was the creation of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and was started in 1947 with encouragement from his wife Diane and the help of Marine Reservists in the Los Angeles area. Their first year of collections totaled 5000 toys, and now over 70 years later the Marine Toys for Tots Program distributes an average of 18 million toys to children in need.  

2022 marks the second year that MedSource Labs (MSL) has participated in a company-wide toy drive. Aurelio Paramo Jr., MSL Quality Manager remembers years from his childhood where toys from the beloved organization were his only gifts. He clearly remembers his “best gift” being the Star Wars X-Wing, the spaceship that Luke flies to destroy the Death Star. Aurelio continues to fight for good with Jedi-like efforts by bringing his children to pick out toys to donate as a way of paying it forward.  

Toys for Tots has made it easy for everyone to donate a toy. They offer a Virtual Toybox where you can hand-pick your toy of choice and add it to the virtual box, or if you’re more of a traditionalist, you can find a drop-site at a local business and hand-deliver your toy donation. Toys for Tots encourages people to donate in whatever way they can, so they also accept crypto donations or donations through PayPal. 

Whatever your reason for giving this season, MedSource Labs team members are sending you their warmest wishes for a happy holiday season.