Marine Toys for Tots launched its Foster Care Program in 2022 to bring comfort, stability, and hope to children navigating the foster care system—many of whom arrive with only a few belongings and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. In the middle of so much change and turmoil, something small can make a big difference.
In 2025, the Toys for Tots Foster Care Program partnered with local organizations nationwide to deliver emotional relief packages—filled with toys, books, backpacks, and educational resources—to nearly 375,000 at-risk children, including those in foster care. These items do more than bring temporary comfort; they reassure children that even in moments of upheaval, there is still Room for Joy.
"Our Foster Care Program is about far more than delivering toys or books—it’s about restoring hope, creating moments of stability, and reminding foster children that they truly matter," said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Because of our donors, we’re able to create real 'Room for Joy'—one meaningful gift at a time."
Few stories illustrate this more powerfully than that of United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Taylor Bills.
LCpl Bills grew up surrounded by instability. He moved frequently between parents, watched his siblings move through child protective services, and navigated a childhood shaped by uncertainty. Yet even amid adversity, he discovered moments where there was Room for Joy—often through acts of giving. He volunteered with local foster care organizations and eventually with his local Toys for Tots Chapter, an experience that left a permanent imprint.
He recalls standing in a school gym filled with toys during a Toys for Tots distribution event. As he watched children—many of whom reminded him of himself—walk away smiling with something new to call their own, he felt a deep sense of connection and purpose. "I recognized some of the kids, and being able to watch them come through and then get a smile on their face was really heartwarming," LCpl Bills shared.
Still, he knew he wanted to do more. Determined to change the trajectory of his life and to serve as an example for children facing similar struggles, he made the decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
This is the power of supporters’ generosity. From a childhood marked by instability to a career serving his country, LCpl Bills found purpose—and hope—because others stepped forward to help. For children in foster care, one donation can alter the course of a life and create more Room for Joy.
"Just because you can't see what's right in front of you today or tomorrow doesn't mean that something good isn't there," said LCpl Bills. "So don't give up…you are in control of your future, and it's not too late to do something great."
To learn more about the Marine Toys for Tots Foster Care Program or donate, visit: https://www.toysfortots.org/programs/foster-children/.
Media Contact
Company Name: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Contact Person: Ted Silvester, Chief Revenue Officer
Email:
Send EmailPhone: (703) 649-2021
City: Triangle
State: Virginia
Country: United States
Website:
https://www.toysfortots.org/