10 December 2012: Marines Bring Christmas to Ronald McDonald House
The United States Marines from 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 14 when the Marines, accompanied by Santa Claus and U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson, drop by for a visit.
WHAT: Toys for Tots event at Ronald McDonald House
WHEN: December 14, 2012
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: 407 Smyth Rd.
The Marines of Ottawa have worked with Ronald McDonald House for six years, and last year collected more than 300 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 Bayne
Special Events Coordinator
Ronald McDonald House
613-863-2526
carolbayne@rogers.com
Jennifer Young
Media Assistant
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
613-688-5315
youngjm1@state.gov