NORTHERN VIRGINIA – The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative’s non-profit organization, Hands Engaged in Local Public Service (NOVEC HELPS) is collecting toys for the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., will distribute toys to underprivileged children in Northern Virginia.
New, unwrapped toys should be dropped off by Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at any one of these NOVEC offices:
10323 Lomond Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
5399 Wellington Branch Drive
Gainesville, VA 20155
14500 Minnieville Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
Hours: 8:15 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday-Friday
According to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation website, www.toysfortots.org, the primary goal of the program is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters. The website says the foundation and the Marine Corps Reserve believe generosity expressed through the program will motivate children “to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.”
Marla Rouse, HELPS chairwoman, says, “NOVEC HELPS is helping Toys for Tots because the program’s objective – to unite all members of local communities in a common cause and contribute to better communities in the future – is similar to ours. With the uncertain economy right now, a lot of families in NOVEC’s service territory need help. Providing toys is one way we can make the holidays brighter for them.”