Wireless Zone Partners with US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive

For the fifth consecutive year, Wireless Zone partnered with the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign in an effort to give back to those in need on both a local and national scale. Starting in late November and running through mid-December, each participating Wireless Zone location had a collection bin in store for community members to donate toys that were then distributed to less fortunate children.

Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 by Bill and Diane Hendricks and was adopted by the US Marine Corps Reserve just one year later. In its existence, the global nonprofit has distributed over 530 million toys to more than 244 million children in need - providing those less fortunate with the opportunity to enjoy the holidays when they otherwise would be left present-less.

The Wireless Zone franchise has contributed thousands of toys to the charity since launching the partnership in 2012. Executive vice president Dave Staszewski believes Toys for Tots is an excellent way for franchisees to support their local communities while contributing system-wide to a national movement that advocates for victims of poverty.

“We are honored to partner with a tremendously impactful organization like Toys for Tots,” said Staszewski. “We are constantly looking for ways to support our local communities, especially during the holiday season, and the opportunity to once again include Toys for Tots donation bins in our stores makes for an easy way to make the holidays more special for less fortunate families right in our backyard.”           

According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, nearly 15 million American children (21 percent of children globally) live in a household below the poverty line. While Wireless Zone saw great success with the Toys for Tots campaign in 2016, the need for an increase in donations became critical in 2017 as more children and families fell into that category.

Wireless Zone Marketing and Communications Manager Michele Correia said that giving back is woven into the brand’s core values, and Toys for Tots allows Wireless Zone franchise owners to get insight into how their contributions can facilitate strong relationships within their local communities.

“It really is a great way to see first-hand what is going on in your community. You know when you donate a toy that it’s going to someone in the local community,” she said. “It’s not going to some warehouse somewhere, but to someone in need right in the community.”

Toys for Tots is just one of the several charity drives Wireless Zone participates in each year through their Foundation of Giving, including their work with local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association, Boy Scouts of America and Make a Wish.

To learn more about Wireless Zone’s fundraising efforts and the Foundation of Giving, visit them online here.