RESOLUTION NO. 220647
title
Honoring the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program for providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas for the past 72 years.
body
WHEREAS, in 1948, the Marine Corps adopted and expanded the program of collecting and distributing toys to needy children begun by Bill Hendricks and his Los Angeles Marine Corps Reserve unit the year prior; and
WHEREAS, annually the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program distributes nearly 17,000,000 toys to bring the joy of Christmas to approximately 7,000,000 less fortunate children and their families every year; and
WHEREAS, to date the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has provided 556 million toys to 258 million children in over 800 communities nationwide; and
WHEREAS, the collection and distribution effort operated annually with intentional coordination between Marine Corps Reserve National Foundation, the Combat Logistics Regiment 4th Marine, the Marine Corps League Simpson-Hoggatt Detachment (984) of Kansas City, Missouri, and the General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment 1025 Marine Corps League; and
WHEREAS, in the Greater Kansas City, Missouri area the Toys for Tots Coordinator, Staff Sargent Warren Ory leads the local impact, which distributed 54,206 toys and supported 33,030 Children in 2021; and
WHEREAS, local business leaders, non-profit organizations and volunteers play a key role by allowing Marines to locate collection receptacles in their store, providing free warehouse space to store and sort toys each fall, providing vehicles to collect toys from collection site, sponsoring toy raising events, and by helping the Marines with attaining media exposure for the Toys for Tots effort; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby express gratitude to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program for their positive impact on children and their families in the Kansas City, Missouri area; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Staff Sargent Warren Ory, Staff Sargent Stewart and the Marine Corps with the appreciation of Mayor and Council for their dedication and service to our community.
end
______________________________________________________