Today Last Day to Donate to Toys for Tots

DASH representatives will be collecting toys at the King Street Metro Station.

Thursday is the last day for Alexandrians to donate to the Community Partners for Children of Alexandria Toys for Tots program. DASH representatives will be at the King Street Metro station from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., collecting donations to help make this holiday season special for children in need who live in Alexandria. Donations will be given to the community partnership, which provides toys and clothing to 600 of Alexandria’s children this holiday season. Families receive a special invitation to attend the partnership’s distribution day in time to wrap their children's gifts before the holidays. The program needs new toys, infant and toddler items, gifts for 10 to 12 year olds and grocery store gift cards. Visit www.dashbus.com for holiday…

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Inmates’ Children Receive Holiday Gifts, Winter Coats

Toys for Tots and Operation Warm partnered with local officers to make this holiday season brighter for children of more than 50 inmates.

The children of more than 50 Alexandria inmates received a holiday gift Tuesday thanks to Toys for Tots and Operation Warm. Some children also received winter coats. Family members and guardians picked up the new toys and coats at the Alexandria Sheriff's Office headquarters on Mill Road. Each year, Toys for Tots provides the sheriff's office with donated toys so children of inmates in the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center who otherwise would not receive gifts can receive a toy during holiday celebrations. This year, Toys for Tots of Quantico, under the direction of Marine Staff Sgt. Oscar Villegas, provided about 200 new toys, including stuffed animals, dolls, cars, trucks, balls and games. Operation Warm donated 60 new coats as…

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Giant Food Collects Toys for Tots

Toys will be collected at neighborhood Giant locations.

The grocer Giant Food has partnered with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to collect toys for underprivileged children at area Giant stores. Giant, based in Landover, Md., also donated $25,000 on Monday to support children in need across the mid-Atlantic region. Toys will be collected at 170 Giant stores throughout the holiday season, including the Monroe Avenue Giant in Del Ray. This year marks the second year of a partnership between the two organizations. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 65th year, Toys for …

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Donate to Toys for Tots at King Street Metro

DASH representatives will be collecting new, unwrapped toys on certain days in December.

Metro riders may want to bring more than just their suitcases, purses or backpacks next month when they head over to King Street Metro station. DASH bus representatives will be on site inside the station collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots, which will go toward helping Alexandria's disadvantaged children have a happier holiday. Toys can be donated on Tuesdays, Dec. 11 and 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Thursdays, Dec. 13 and 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Donators will receive a DASH thank-you gift

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City to Hold 38th Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance

Donations of toys, money are accepted.

The city of Alexandria has scheduled its 38th Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. The event will take place at the Lee Center Exhibit Hall, 1108 Jefferson St. This year’s theme is “Feelin’ Great at Thirty-Eight” and features a special 3 p.m. performance by Capital Squares Demonstration Team. The annual dance benefits the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive. Organizers are recommending each couple bring a new, unopened toy or a $10 minimum contribution (or $5 for singles). All toys and proceeds from the dance will remain in the Washington metropolitan area. Those who want to skip the dance but still contribute can drop off their donations until 3 p.m. at the Lee Center. The city’s Department …

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Virginia Colin

12:39 am on Sunday, November 18, 2012

This sounds good to me! Dancing and donating gifts for kids at the same time; what's not to like?   more ›

Village Sprouts

Celebrate Literacy

As kids return to school, September is a great month to focus on literacy.

Sept. 8 is International Literacy Day, as designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Not to be confused with National March in to Literacy Month, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program and held during the month of March, this year’s International Literacy Day is focused on the global relationship between literacy and peace. I also think the day parallels perfectly with kids heading back to school.  To celebrate literacy with your family, visit any Alexandria library on Sept. 8 for special 75th birthday events. Del Ray's local Duncan Branch will have Alexandria firemen and a fire truck on-site at 10:30 a.m., a live performance by the Irish Breakfast Band from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and…

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Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance to be Held Dec. 4

Toys for Tots event benefits Marine Corps toy drive.

Alexandria’s 37th Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Lee Center Exhibit Hall. This year’s theme is “Almost Heaven at Thirty-Seven” and will feature a 3 p.m. performance by Capital Squares Demonstration Team. The annual square and round dance benefits the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive. Recommended donation for each couple is a new, unopened toy or a $10 minimum contribution. Individuals should bring a toy or a $5 donation. All toys and proceeds from this dance will remain in the Washington metropolitan area. If you do not wish to participate but would like to donate a toy, drop off a donation until 3 p.m. at the Lee Center. The City’s Department of Recreation, …

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