Toys for Tots: The joy of giving back

As a Marine Corps reservist, Sergeant Conner Miller is required to participate in the annual Toys for Tots campaign. But even if it weren’t in his job description, Sgt. Miller would gladly donate his time and effort to ensure all children have gifts under their tree at Christmas because he feels it is a vitally important program.

Being part of the program is in his DNA. Sgt. Miller’s father retired Sgt. Kevin Miller has been running Bucks County’s program for more than 25 years. Connor Miller began helping his dad when he was a toddler. “Not everyone is put into circumstances that let them live a normal life that allows them to live comfortably and have lavish gifts,” said Sgt Miller, “supporting toys for tots helps families in situations beyond their control. The kids still get that same joy as others by having gifts, and the parents can provide in other ways and worry about those things.” Now in his fourth year collecting toys in Upper Bucks, Sgt. Miller spends most of his time soliciting drop-off locations, collecting donations, and ensuring they get to the right people. In 2021 alone, Bucks County distributed 40,320 toys to 7,330 kids in need. The donations are made in a lowkey manner to ensure youngsters don’t feel stigmatized by receiving donations.

According to the organization’s website, Toys for Tots was established in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks after his wife told him to donate a doll to a local charity. When he returned, he told her that he couldn’t find such a charity, to which she responded, “You’re a Marine, make one yourself.” Since the creation of Toys for Tots, they have received 627 million toys and distributed them to 281 million children. Over the years, Bucks County’s program has grown from two volunteers and three businesses to include three dozen volunteers and 325 businesses. This is the 75th anniversary of Toys for Tots.

Unfortunately, according to Sgt Miller, donations are down about five percent this year, which could have something to do with the struggling economy. He said donations were on the rise in the first two years of the covid pandemic. Trish Stubbs, Tilly Mints Tea Room owner in Telford, agreed that donations are down this year. Stubbs has been a drop-off location for Toys for Tots since 2012. Her goal is to fill three collection boxes and a full-size replica of a British phone booth each year. Typically they collect about 300 gifts, but this year they topped out at about 250. “It feels good to watch the boxes in the phone booth fill up,” said Stubbs, “we know that each toy that is donated will make Christmas that much happier for a deserving child.”

While many of us take Christmas for granted, not everyone has the luxury of being able to see piles of presents under their tree on Christmas morning. It’s volunteers like Sgt. Miller and business owners like Trish Stubbs, along with hundreds of generous donors who all play a role in making a difference for children in need.