Washington County Toys for Tots Faces Critical Shortage, Urgently Needs Donations

Washington County’s Toys for Tots program, a vital volunteer-driven initiative, is facing a severe shortage of toy and monetary donations, jeopardizing its ability to serve thousands of local children this holiday season. According to the organization, the program relies entirely on the generosity of the community and corporate sponsors to fund its operations and provide gifts.

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in Washington County is operated by a dedicated team of volunteers, with all donated resources directly supporting the program’s mission.

“Not a single person you encounter that is with our program gets paid or benefits from our programming,” said Kathleen Prest, Coordinator for Washington County. “We have about 10-15 dedicated volunteers that make this program happen.”

National-level operations are also funded through donations and an endowment, which covers administrative costs and a small number of staff salaries, ensuring that no donated dollars are used for volunteer compensation. Of every dollar donated to the national foundation, 98 cents is allocated to supporting its designated programs. While best known for its holiday campaign from October through December, Toys for Tots also supports foster youth and literacy programs year-round.

In previous years, Washington County’s Toys for Tots has successfully managed its holiday operations, and in 2024, it was able to extend its reach to include literacy and foster care support. The program provided books to over 500 children and supported 25 foster families with summer fun baskets through San Mar’s Treatment Foster Care program. Additionally, the organization collaborates with local entities, such as the Washington County Health Department, to further assist community members.

The application period for families seeking holiday assistance opened on October 1st, with the online application closing on November 8, 2025. The program has a commitment to serving all approved families without limiting the number of children or households. After prioritizing families who completed the application process, Toys for Tots typically works with local organizations and agencies to provide gifts for children whose needs may not have been met through initial applications or who missed deadlines.

This year, however, the program faces a critical shortfall. With 1,705 children needing to be served through the approved family applications, the current inventory of donations is described as extremely limited. This scarcity means that the program is unlikely to be able to assist community organizations and agencies in filling last-minute holiday needs. The impact of this shortage is anticipated to be felt by thousands of children in Washington County.

Typically, when toy donations are low, the program has relied on partnerships with local corporate sponsors, such as Ollie’s, to purchase toys at discounted rates. This year, however, monetary donations have also reached an all-time low, hindering the ability to implement this strategy effectively.

Beyond toy and monetary contributions, Toys for Tots is also seeking in-kind donations for space and sponsorship to cover electricity costs. The organization is currently paying for rent and electricity, and securing donated space of 6,500 square feet or larger would significantly free up funds that could be directly reinvested into programming for children. Donors interested in providing space or covering electricity costs will receive a tax-deductible letter from the foundation.

Several upcoming events are planned to help boost donations.

• Toy Drive at the Jessica Lynn Concert @ Maryland Theater on December 3rd
• Toys for Tots Party @ The Hub Pub on December 4th from 5pm to 11pm
• SantaCon in Downtown Hagerstown on the evening of December 6th

Upholding a Marine Corps tradition, a dedicated team of volunteers works diligently to ensure that every child receives a present on Christmas morning. The organization emphasizes its commitment to the integrity of administering donations and gifts to less fortunate children in Washington County. They are actively seeking new volunteers and business partners who wish to contribute to ensuring a joyful holiday for every child.

Information on how and where to donate can be found on the local Toys for Tots website.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from Toys for Tots Washington County

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