Bringing Holiday Hope: Blaine PD Launches Annual Toys for Tots Collection

BLAINE, Minn. — As the holiday season approaches, the Blaine Police Department is urging residents to help ensure every child in the Twin Cities receives a gift this Christmas. A collection box is now open in the lobby of Blaine City Hall, accepting new, unwrapped toys through Friday, December 12.

The local drive supports the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program, a nationwide initiative founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks. Since becoming an official Marine Corps Reserve mission in 1948, the program has grown into one of the nation’s most impactful charitable efforts, delivering over 708 million toys, books, and gifts to 314 million economically disadvantaged children across the United States.

Locally, the Twin Cities chapter of Toys for Tots distributed 214,353 toys to 198,282 children in the previous year. The Blaine Police Department serves as a key partner in this effort, encouraging residents to contribute especially to the age groups that historically see the highest demand: infants (0–2 years old) and teenagers (12–15 years old). Monetary donations are often used to purchase gifts for these high-demand categories to ensure balanced distribution.

“The support shown by the Blaine community year after year underscores a deep commitment to our neighbors,” said a Blaine Police Department representative. “Partnering with the Marines allows us to deliver tangible hope and transform an act of generosity into a lasting message for families in need.”

Toys for Tots campaigns operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and rely on volunteer support to coordinate local collections. The program maintains a high efficiency rate, with approximately 97 percent of all monetary donations going directly toward providing toys, books, and gifts to children.

Residents can drop off donations at Blaine City Hall through December 12. For additional donation locations, updates on specific needs, or to contribute online, visit the official Toys for Tots website at toysfortots.org.

MinneapoliMedia