Toys for Tots CEO on Being ’Blessed’ With Support

of seven million children each year. WHOA, those are big numbers. So let's understand what's new and different this year, what we can expect, and how people can help. Pete Osmond is retired Lieutenant general from the United States Marine Corps and the President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. He joins us on the phone from Quantico, Virginia. General, nice to have you with us. Well, my poysure to be there, and it's great to be with your listeners

as well. All right, So talk to us little bit about this year, because you guys, as Jason mentioned, uh, seventy two years that you folks have been doing. Um, tell us a bit about you know what's changed, what's new this year, and what your goal is. Well, you know, the interesting thing is I wish we had had a big change this year, and that I wish we had

a a decrease in demand. You know, just listening to the economic indicators and whatnot, the economy seems quite robust and you would think that we would probably see a lot less of a demand this year, but that has not been the case. Um. Interestingly, the Census Bureau tells us that we've still got, you know, almost fifteen million less fortunate children out there that are actually living in poverty. Uh.

You know, it's a combination of things. Obviously for some folks in our country, they have not recognized the great economy that most of us are experiencing. Obviously, some of that's probably job related or area related. We also have catastrophes that happen, national disasters over the last couple of years, as you know, but doing the hurricanes, tornadoes, the wildfires on the West coast, you know, total communities have been devastated.

And when that happens, obviously, you know, taking care of those people, those families of tremendous priority, getting them basic things, food, water, shelter, medical, medical help, that kind of thing. But then the holidays come along and everybody says, gee, what about the children. Well, that is part of the challenge that we face. That's part of the demand that we have seen the last couple of years, you know, is an increase in the

natural disaster. So between a combination of some people not realizing the economic turnaround and the natural disasters, we continue to have a pretty high demand, higher than I would have hoped this particular time. And the good news is we've got people who support us. So that's great. Well, and talk to us about that, because you have managed to bring together some of the biggest names and toys and entertainment names like Hasro and Disney. Tell us what

those folks are doing for you. Well, you know, the foundation of the program is the individual donor, but the the corporate sponsorship that we have is amazing. I mean, it goes all the way back you said to nineteen forty seven. Actually, Disney came on board in nineteen forty eight. In fact, the the individual who ran that first campaign in Los Angeles was a fellow named Bill hendrix Um. In his full time job, he was the director of Public relations for Warner Brothers, and a good personal friend

of his was Walt Disney. So he approached Walt when he realized the campaign was going national the next year and said, hey, but you divine us designers a poster, And that's exactly what Walt Disney did. So the first campaign poster, fourth Choys for TODs, was designed by Walt Disney himself. In fact, the little three car train logo that was on that particular poster has become our logo today.

But anyway, the program has grown dramatically over the years, uh, and we've gotten great support from corporate sponsors along the way. Disney has been with us ever since, um, you know, providing lots of money and lots of toys. Has Bro's been with us for a couple of decades again providing

millions of dollars worth of toys. Legos with us again years this year providing gosh, about ten million dollars worth of Legos, And even the UPS Store interestingly has a special niche in the Toys for Tots program, and that is they helped support our Marine Toys for Tots literacy program. In fact, they helped us to develop the program and they collect Moneys throughout the year to help us purchase toys excuse me, books that we include with the toys

for Christmas grifts for children. So you know, a great variety of corporate sponsors that really do make a big difference now, and you're a reminder, you know, we certainly spend Jason and I, you know, day in and day out, many of our folks here at Bloombergh. We you know, we look at the market hitting record highs and we talk about, you know, incredible wealth. It has certainly been

generated since the financial crisis. But you're a reminder that not everybody HA has participated in that wealth and not and you know, their economic status is still pretty different differently. You know, you share with us some stats that they are currently more than fifteen million US children living below the poverty line federal poverty line, and that one out of every three children lives in a family where another

parent has a full time, year round employment. So for many um the struggles are near and dear and very real. They certainly are. And uh, you know, the great thing again, as I said, is even though the demand continues to be there, the American public continues to embrace the program and support it, you know, And of course I just described our corporate sponsors that tremendous work they do, but

it really does come down to the individual donor. I think we all realize that our Americans are incredibly generous. If they see a real need out there or a cause, they will rally behind it. And they have continued to do that with Marine Toys for Touch. So we've been blessed with great support from the American public. And so how do people get involved in We're getting real close to Christmas here. Obviously people are out and about they can use some of those drop off locations, but I

would imagine there's a digital play as well here. There certainly is. It's not too late to buy that toy and drop it in the barrel, but it's getting getting close because a lot of the coordinators are already beginning their distribution process to make sure the toys get to

the children by Christmas. But one thing that people can do that really is important right now, and that is to go to our website, which is Toys for Touch dot org, hit that donate button and you'll be provided a variety of ways that you can make an online donation. Those donations allow us to buy toys and bulk literally at the eleventh hour, push those toys to the campaigns that need assistance out there, particularly with some of the difficult to I guess handle age groups, and that's usually

the preteens teens. People always shy away from trying to purchase toys for those those those youngsters, So you know we can do that and do it in a way that will really help the local campaign. So that online donation really is critical. And as I'm quick to tell people, when you make a monetary donation to Toys for Tots, you can be assured it's going to purchase toys and books. We have a very enviable program to support ratio. In fact, cents out of every dollar goes to the purchase of

toys and books. The three cents goes for fundraising costs. Absolutely not one time goes to pay anybody's salary. So when donors make that donation, they know it's going to purchase toys and books. All right, Well, we really appreciate your work and you're taking some time to join us in this very very busy time of year for you. We know Pete Osmond has retired Lieutenant journal Lieutenant General excuse me for the Marines, and also the President CEO

of the Marine Toys for Todds Foundation, Carol. Yeah. And I think just a reminder of what the season really is all about.