Baltimore City Council President partners with local businesses to help increase donations through popular Toys for Tots program

Baltimore, MD – City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young will continue his annual toy drive for the popular Toys for Tots program by joining forces with local businesses to help put smiles on the faces of children throughout the city.

The Council President’s Business Participation Initiative aims to use up to 200 local businesses and large office buildings as collection sites for his Toys for Tots initiative. Interested businesses should contact the Council President’s office and request a donation box that will be placed onsite at their business or office building.

The boxes are large enough to hold several 70-inch televisions, a few bicycles, board games, and action figures.

“We want to give a message of hope to young people in need During this season of giving, we are calling on local community groups, organizations and businesses to collect toys and bring them to us on the day of the reception,” City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young said.  “We can really make this a Christmas to remember for Baltimore’s children, but I can't do it without the help of the business community.”

“For Baltimore to reach its full potential, it’s imperative that elected officials and the business community work together,” said President of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, Eben Frederick. “We are grateful to have legislative leaders like Councilman Jack Young, who as City Council President is a true partner to both the Chamber and Baltimore’s Business Community.

“Every child deserves a little Christmas,” United States Marines Sergeant Richard Urban said emphatically. “No child should be forgotten about on Christmas.  The Toys for Tots sole purpose is to provide families in need, toys for their children that may not be able to afford them during the holiday season, “Urban continued.

Cailey Tolle, President of the Maryland Retailers Association, spoke about how happy member of her organization are to participate in the holiday season in this new and exciting way.

“The Maryland Retailers Association is thrilled to help collect toys through our members for the annual Toys for Tots drive.  Retailers provide philanthropy to their communities year round and giving back during the holiday season is an important part of helping families in the City and across the State.”  Tolle said.

The following businesses have generously agreed to have a donation box placed onsite:

• The Gallery (111 South Calvert)
• SunTrust Building (120 East Baltimore)
• Transamerica Building (100 Light)
• Kornblatt Building (200 Saint Paul Place)
• 20 South Charles
• 36 South Charles
• Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance HQ (625 Washington Blvd.)
• The M&T Building Centerplate @ The Baltimore Convention Center
• Holiday Inn Inner Harbor
• Hotel Indigo
• Hotel RL
• BGE
• Dave & Busters (Arundel Mills)
• ETC – 2 locations, Haven St. & 33^rd
• Security Plus Federal Credit Union – 6 Branches
• Revival Hotel
• Maryland Family Network
• Dinosaur BBQ
• Avenue Bakery
• 3C Freelance – 26^th St

Toys for Tots is a program ran by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas.  The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

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