The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

For information on how you can participate, please visit www.toysfortots.org, or write mtftf@toysfortots.org.

Description courtesy of the Toys For Tots website.

Project Linus is a 100% volunteer, non profit organization, with a two-fold mission:

First, it is its mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, homemade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers".

Second, it is its mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

Our own Sharon Kurth, an avid knitter, is proud to be a chapter coordinator for Project Linus. For information on how you can participate, please visit the Project Linus website at www.projectlinus.org, or write Sharon at: sharon@theinternationalkitchen.com or OPWE_PROJECTLINUS@yahoo.com.

Description courtesy of the Project Linus website.

Feeding America's Hungry Children (FAHC), provided services to 13 member agencies in 8 States throughout America. Feeding America’s Hungry Children’s network of more than 17 regional food banks and food-rescue organizations serves 16 states by distributing food and grocery products to approximately 100 local charitable hunger relief agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, Community Kitchens, and other organizations that provide emergency food assistance.

The efficiency of operation resulted in that 99% of all product and money donations received by Feeding America’s Hungry Children went directly towards feeding hungry people rather than administration or fundraising.

For information on how you can participate, please visit www.feedingahc.org, or write info@feedingahc.org.

Description courtesy of the FAHC website.