Dedham, MA – Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell and Registry Staff distributed donations from the Registry’s 17th Annual Toys for Tots Drive to Gunnery Sergeants Andrew Fetrow and Ruben Diez, both with the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, representing Toys for Tots, during a pickup event.
With the help of the local community, business owners, and staff, the Registry of Deeds collected more than 150 gifts during the drive.
“I would like to thank everyone who generously donated to the Registry’s 17th Annual Toys for Tots Drive. We are grateful for the service of all veterans past and present and are, as always, honored to partner with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in their annual toy drive, which helps make the holiday brighter for so many,” said Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell.
Since 2007, the Registry of Deeds has collected over 1,850 donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
“We can’t possibly do this without the support of the local community, and seeing people come out to donate means everything,” said GySgt Andrew Fetrow. “By doing an event like this, you get to witness the best side of people and know that these donations are going to give children, who might not otherwise have had the opportunity, a happy Christmas.”
This year marks the 77th anniversary of Toys for Tots. The program was established in 1947 when the wife of a Marine major wanted to donate a Raggedy Ann doll for Christmas but couldn’t find an organization to accept it.
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program’s mission is to help less fortunate children experience the joy and happiness associated with Christmas. The program operates in more than 800 cities and towns throughout all 50 states. Since its start, the national program has delivered over 677 million toys.
Register O’Donnell expressed his gratitude for the generosity of county employees, title examiners, attorneys, and residents from across Norfolk County in contributing to this year’s Toys for Tots Drive.